CITY REPORT VT

Orwell, VT Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$293K
Median Home Value
$400
Est. Remediation (0.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Orwell Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.0026 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 59% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.19.

Orwell's Water Providers

Supply infrastructure in Orwell, VT runs through a single dominant provider - the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Orwell, Vermont (population ~950), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,800 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.

Water Sources

Orwell water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0026 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
05760 Tri Town Water District 3,800

All ZIP Codes in Orwell

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Orwell Community Health Snapshot

10.8%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
8.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.1%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.8% ↑
Diabetes 8.2% ↓
Mental Health 15.1% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Orwell Infrastructure Age

1987
Median Build Year
59%
Built Before 1986
34%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Orwell's median build year of 1987 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure - one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.

1987
Median Year Built
59%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
34%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (34%) 1970–1986 (25%) Post-1986 (41%)

Over half of homes in Orwell were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Orwell

The household financial picture for Orwell homeowners is proportionally favorable - addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.

Median Home Value
$293,200
Est. Remediation
$400
Remediation as % of home value 0.1%

Remediation costs in Orwell are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 4% above the Vermont average.

Orwell: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

59%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0026
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

59% - that captures the slice of Orwell housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Orwell water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Orwell is 0.0026 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Orwell?
Orwell is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 950 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Orwell?
Estimated remediation costs in Orwell average $400 per household, ranging from $0 to $800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesVermont → Orwell, VT

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Orwell, VT Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/vt/orwell/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-vt-orwell,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Orwell, VT Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/vt/orwell/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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