Vergennes, VT: 4 Violations — 80/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current VT EPA data, Vergennes's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Vergennes Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Vergennes Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.19.
Vergennes's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Vergennes, VT's water service — 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Vergennes, Vermont (population ~5,750), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 18,619 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Vergennes: B (80/100)
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
Vergennes water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05491 | B | 4 | 0 | Vergennes Panton Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Vergennes
- 05491 [B] — 4 violations
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.
Vergennes Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Vergennes's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Vergennes Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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 Vergennes — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1977 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Vergennes 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 Vergennes
Because property values in Vergennes comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Vergennes 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 9% above the Vermont average.
Vergennes: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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: 66% of Vergennes 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.
Vergennes: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Vergennes's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 2 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.
Vergennes has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $23,949 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Vergennes, VT