Pawlet, VT Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Pawlet, VT tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Pawlet Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Pawlet Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.46 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Pawlet
Federal records list 1 water system serving Pawlet, VT. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pawlet, Vermont, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,019 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pawlet — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pawlet: C (63/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Pawlet water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Pawlet
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05761 | C | DANBY MOUNT TABOR F D 1 | 385 |
All ZIP Codes in Pawlet
- 05761 [C]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Pawlet
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Pawlet's Housing Stock?
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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Pawlet — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1988 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Pawlet 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.
Pawlet: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Pawlet comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Pawlet are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% above the Vermont average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pawlet
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 59% of Pawlet homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Pawlet
How does Pawlet's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 6 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Pawlet has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $26,684 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Pawlet
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pawlet, VT