West Rupert, VT Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for West Rupert, VT reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How West Rupert Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About West Rupert Water
- Homes built before 1986: 74% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.78 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in West Rupert
Water service in West Rupert, VT is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West Rupert, Vermont (population ~348), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 530 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in West Rupert — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for West Rupert: 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
West Rupert water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for West Rupert
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05776 | C | DORSET FIRE DISTRICT 1 | 530 |
All ZIP Codes in West Rupert
- 05776 [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.
Health Outcomes in West Rupert
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
Housing & Infrastructure in West Rupert
With 74% 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
The median home in West Rupert was built in 1902 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in West Rupert 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for West Rupert Homeowners
Equity impact data for West Rupert lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in West Rupert are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the Vermont average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in West Rupert
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for West Rupert have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 74% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in West Rupert
2 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for West Rupert, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
West Rupert has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $4,054 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>$1,600</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 West Rupert
- 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 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Rupert, VT