Worst Infrastructure: Vermont — 2026 Rankings

Out of 302 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	302
Highest risk	74%
Median risk	46%
Average risk	46%
State	Vermont

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	05670	South Barre	VT	74%	Very High	53/100
2	05678	Websterville	VT	66%	Very High	82/100
3	05674	Warren	VT	64%	Very High	49/100
4	05050	Mc Indoe Falls	VT	62%	Very High	63/100
5	05765	Proctor	VT	61%	Very High	74/100
6	05775	West Pawlet	VT	61%	Very High	63/100
7	05038	Chelsea	VT	60%	High	77/100
8	05154	Saxtons River	VT	60%	High	80/100
9	05776	West Rupert	VT	60%	High	63/100
10	05862	Peacham	VT	60%	High	83/100
11	05902	Beecher Falls	VT	60%	High	63/100
12	05091	Woodstock	VT	59%	High	68/100
13	05158	Westminster	VT	59%	High	74/100
14	05252	East Arlington	VT	58%	High	63/100
15	05654	Graniteville	VT	58%	High	79/100
16	05701	Rutland	VT	58%	High	68/100
17	05033	Bradford	VT	57%	High	69/100
18	05201	Bennington	VT	57%	High	55/100
19	05764	Poultney	VT	57%	High	83/100
20	05034	Bridgewater	VT	56%	High	79/100
21	05101	Bellows Falls	VT	56%	High	83/100
22	05031	Barnard	VT	55%	High	83/100
23	05089	Windsor	VT	55%	High	75/100
24	05821	Barnet	VT	55%	High	75/100
25	05037	Brownsville	VT	54%	High	83/100
26	05045	Fairlee	VT	54%	High	72/100
27	05068	South Royalton	VT	54%	High	73/100
28	05253	East Dorset	VT	54%	High	64/100
29	05401	Burlington	VT	54%	High	91/100
30	05459	Highgate Center	VT	54%	High	63/100
31	05757	Middletown Springs	VT	54%	High	63/100
32	05052	North Hartland	VT	53%	High	80/100
33	05081	Wells River	VT	53%	High	70/100
34	05156	Springfield	VT	53%	High	83/100
35	05254	Manchester	VT	53%	High	77/100
36	05342	Jacksonville	VT	53%	High	63/100
37	05350	Readsboro	VT	53%	High	83/100
38	05363	Wilmington	VT	53%	High	73/100
39	05663	Northfield	VT	53%	High	72/100
40	05673	Waitsfield	VT	53%	High	53/100
41	05743	Fair Haven	VT	53%	High	83/100
42	05777	West Rutland	VT	53%	High	83/100
43	05819	Saint Johnsbury	VT	53%	High	76/100
44	05904	Gilman	VT	53%	High	53/100
45	05060	Randolph	VT	52%	High	79/100
46	05084	West Hartford	VT	52%	High	83/100
47	05257	North Bennington	VT	52%	High	63/100
48	05301	Brattleboro	VT	52%	High	75/100
49	05447	East Berkshire	VT	52%	High	81/100
50	05602	Montpelier	VT	52%	High	63/100
51	05648	Calais	VT	52%	High	74/100
52	05650	East Calais	VT	52%	High	74/100
53	05667	Plainfield	VT	52%	High	65/100
54	05739	Danby	VT	52%	High	79/100
55	05767	Rochester	VT	52%	High	81/100
56	05773	Wallingford	VT	52%	High	74/100
57	05841	Greensboro	VT	52%	High	82/100
58	05843	Hardwick	VT	52%	High	71/100
59	05032	Bethel	VT	51%	High	78/100
60	05036	Brookfield	VT	51%	High	53/100
61	05358	West Halifax	VT	51%	High	53/100
62	05641	Barre	VT	51%	High	67/100
63	05669	Roxbury	VT	51%	High	82/100
64	05759	North Clarendon	VT	51%	High	63/100
65	05763	Pittsford	VT	51%	High	83/100
66	05766	Ripton	VT	51%	High	63/100
67	05850	Lyndon Center	VT	51%	High	63/100
68	05855	Newport	VT	51%	High	78/100
69	05875	West Glover	VT	51%	High	53/100
70	05046	Groton	VT	50%	High	55/100
71	05056	Plymouth	VT	50%	High	51/100
72	05072	Strafford	VT	50%	High	63/100
73	05143	Chester	VT	50%	High	69/100
74	05250	Arlington	VT	50%	High	78/100
75	05262	Shaftsbury	VT	50%	High	83/100
76	05340	Bondville	VT	50%	High	50/100
77	05341	East Dover	VT	50%	High	63/100
78	05345	Newfane	VT	50%	High	55/100
79	05354	Vernon	VT	50%	High	63/100
80	05441	Bakersfield	VT	50%	High	83/100
81	05736	Center Rutland	VT	50%	High	82/100
82	05753	Middlebury	VT	50%	High	72/100
83	05769	Salisbury	VT	50%	High	53/100
84	05833	East Charleston	VT	50%	High	53/100
85	05871	West Burke	VT	50%	High	53/100
86	05059	Quechee	VT	49%	High	63/100
87	05062	Reading	VT	49%	High	63/100
88	05070	South Strafford	VT	49%	High	53/100
89	05077	Tunbridge	VT	49%	High	63/100
90	05088	Wilder	VT	49%	High	83/100
91	05142	Cavendish	VT	49%	High	77/100
92	05261	Pownal	VT	49%	High	78/100
93	05473	North Ferrisburgh	VT	49%	High	73/100
94	05640	Adamant	VT	49%	High	53/100
95	05738	Cuttingsville	VT	49%	High	78/100
96	05748	Hancock	VT	49%	High	76/100
97	05772	Stockbridge	VT	49%	High	78/100
98	05774	Wells	VT	49%	High	63/100
99	05860	Orleans	VT	49%	High	74/100
100	05053	North Pomfret	VT	48%	High	53/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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.