Health Violations Found VT 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Dorset Fire District 1

EPA ID: VT0005020 · 530 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Dorset Fire District 1 show 1 open EPA violation in current federal records for approximately 530 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 67
Avg Safety Score
530
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0021 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
1
Contaminants Flagged
$267K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Dorset Fire District 1 Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$56,667
Median Household Income
2,333
Service Area Population
23%
Disadvantaged Population
48th
Poverty Percentile
83th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Dorset Fire District 1 serves a community with a median household income of $56,667 and an estimated 2,333 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Dorset Fire District 1's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
13th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
57th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Bennington County, Vermont rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

85 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 87% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Dorset Fire District 1 compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Vermont

B 3 violations
0 violations
D 7 violations
0 violations
C 12 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,350
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $75
Total Estimated Cost $1,825

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,825 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Dorset Fire District 1 (EPA ID: VT0005020) is a community water system in Vermont that serves approximately 530 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (67/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
05251 0.0021 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 3 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Dorset Fire District 1 (VT0005020) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dorset Fire District 1 water safe to drink?

Dorset Fire District 1 has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Dorset Fire District 1 serve?

Dorset Fire District 1 serves approximately 530 people across 4 ZIP codes in Vermont.

Where does Dorset Fire District 1 get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: DORSET FIRE DISTRICT 1 Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
23
Galvanized — Replacement Required
71
Unknown Material
97
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 530
Reported to Vermont

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Dorset Fire District 1 safe to drink?
Dorset Fire District 1 has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Dorset Fire District 1's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Dorset Fire District 1 serve?
Dorset Fire District 1 serves approximately 530 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Dorset Fire District 1's water source?
Dorset Fire District 1 draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Dorset Fire District 1's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0021 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Dorset Fire District 1's service area?
The Dorset Fire District 1 service area has a median household income of $56,667. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Dorset Fire District 1 get its water?
Dorset Fire District 1's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Dorset Fire District 1 (EPA ID: VT0005020) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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