Worst Infrastructure: Vermont — 2026 Rankings

Out of 258 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Vermont, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	258
Highest risk	NaN%
Median risk	NaN%
Average risk	NaN%
State	Vermont

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	05001	White River Junction	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
2	05030	Ascutney	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
3	05031	Barnard	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
4	05032	Bethel	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
5	05033	Bradford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
6	05034	Bridgewater	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
7	05035	Bridgewater Corners	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
8	05036	Brookfield	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
9	05037	Brownsville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
10	05038	Chelsea	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
11	05039	Corinth	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
12	05040	East Corinth	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
13	05041	East Randolph	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
14	05042	East Ryegate	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
15	05043	East Thetford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
16	05045	Fairlee	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
17	05046	Groton	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
18	05048	Hartland	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
19	05050	Mc Indoe Falls	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
20	05051	Newbury	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
21	05052	North Hartland	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
22	05053	North Pomfret	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
23	05055	Norwich	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
24	05056	Plymouth	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
25	05058	Post Mills	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
26	05059	Quechee	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
27	05060	Randolph	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
28	05061	Randolph Center	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
29	05062	Reading	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
30	05065	Sharon	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
31	05067	South Pomfret	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
32	05068	South Royalton	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
33	05069	South Ryegate	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
34	05070	South Strafford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
35	05071	South Woodstock	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
36	05072	Strafford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
37	05073	Taftsville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
38	05075	Thetford Center	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
39	05076	Topsham	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
40	05077	Tunbridge	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
41	05079	Vershire	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
42	05081	Wells River	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
43	05083	West Fairlee	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
44	05084	West Hartford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
45	05086	West Topsham	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
46	05088	Wilder	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
47	05089	Windsor	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
48	05091	Woodstock	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
49	05101	Bellows Falls	VT	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
50	05141	Cambridgeport	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
51	05142	Cavendish	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
52	05143	Chester	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
53	05146	Grafton	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
54	05148	Londonderry	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
55	05149	Ludlow	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
56	05150	North Springfield	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
57	05151	Perkinsville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
58	05152	Peru	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
59	05153	Proctorsville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
60	05154	Saxtons River	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
61	05155	South Londonderry	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
62	05156	Springfield	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
63	05158	Westminster	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
64	05161	Weston	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
65	05201	Bennington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	74/100
66	05250	Arlington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
67	05251	Dorset	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
68	05252	East Arlington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
69	05253	East Dorset	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
70	05254	Manchester	VT	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
71	05255	Manchester Center	VT	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
72	05257	North Bennington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	78/100
73	05260	North Pownal	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
74	05261	Pownal	VT	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
75	05262	Shaftsbury	VT	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
76	05301	Brattleboro	VT	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
77	05340	Bondville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
78	05341	East Dover	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
79	05342	Jacksonville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
80	05343	Jamaica	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
81	05345	Newfane	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
82	05346	Putney	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
83	05350	Readsboro	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
84	05351	South Newfane	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
85	05352	Stamford	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
86	05353	Townshend	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
87	05354	Vernon	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
88	05355	Wardsboro	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
89	05356	West Dover	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
90	05358	West Halifax	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
91	05359	West Townshend	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
92	05360	West Wardsboro	VT	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
93	05361	Whitingham	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
94	05362	Williamsville	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
95	05363	Wilmington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—
96	05401	Burlington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	98/100
97	05403	South Burlington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	98/100
98	05404	Winooski	VT	NaN%	Unknown	100/100
99	05408	Burlington	VT	NaN%	Unknown	97/100
100	05440	Alburgh	VT	NaN%	Unknown	—

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.