Rhode Island Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Rhode Island, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Kingston Water District has the highest PFAS in Rhode Island at 36.8 ppt (9x the EPA limit). Naval Station, Newport has the highest lead at 40 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Rhode Island
Public water systems in Rhode Island with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston Water District | West Kingston · 3,968 served | 36.8 | 5 | 9x |
| 2 | University Of Rhode Island | Kingston · 19,354 served | 16 | 7 | 4x |
| 3 | Quonset Business Park | – | 15 | 6 | 4x |
| 4 | South Kingstown-South Shore | Wakefield · 6,170 served | 12.3 | 4 | 3x |
| 5 | Jamestown Water Department | Jamestown · 3,348 served | 12 | 1 | 3x |
| 6 | Westerly Water Department | Westerly · 35,298 served | 10 | 4 | 3x |
| 7 | Kent County Water Authority | West Greenwich · 88,779 served | 8.4 | 4 | 2x |
| 8 | Cumberland, Town Of | Cumberland · 21,235 served | 8.3 | 5 | 2x |
| 9 | North Kingstown Town Of | North Kingstown · 27,732 served | 8.1 | 5 | 2x |
| 10 | Woonsocket Water Division | Woonsocket · 45,828 served | 7.5 | 4 | 2x |
| 11 | Newport-City Of | Newport · 42,155 served | 6.1 | 3 | 2x |
| 12 | Pawtucket-City Of | Pawtucket · 98,130 served | 6 | 1 | 2x |
Highest Lead Levels in Rhode Island
Community water systems in Rhode Island with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naval Station, Newport | Newport · 7,870 served | 40 | 2.7x over |
| 2 | Newport-City Of | Newport · 42,155 served | 27.7 | 1.8x over |
| 3 | Providence-City Of | Providence · 333,142 served | 22 | 1.5x over |
| 4 | Westerly Water Department | Westerly · 35,298 served | 16.7 | 1.1x over |
| 5 | Narragansett Water System-Point Judith | Narragansett · 8,210 served | 14 | within |
| 6 | Block Island Water Company | Block Island · 9,999 served | 11.3 | within |
| 7 | Warwick-City Of | Warwick · 73,289 served | 11 | within |
| 8 | Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth · 17,090 served | 10 | within |
| 9 | Woonsocket Water Division | Woonsocket · 45,828 served | 9.3 | within |
| 10 | Narragansett Water Dept-North End | Narragansett · 4,432 served | 9 | within |
| 11 | Kent County Water Authority | West Greenwich · 88,779 served | 7.6 | within |
| 12 | Dowling Village | Warwick · 2,720 served | 6.8 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Rhode Island
Community water systems in Rhode Island with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narragansett Water System-Point Judith | Narragansett · 8,210 served | 12 |
| 2 | Narragansett Water Dept-North End | Narragansett · 4,432 served | 8 |
| 3 | Veolia Water Wakefield Rhode Island Inc | Wakefield · 22,347 served | 5 |
| 4 | Prudence Island Water District | Prudence Island · 1,500 served | 4 |
| 5 | East Providence-City Of | East Providence · 47,618 served | 4 |
| 6 | Smithfield Water Supply Board | Smithfield · 9,460 served | 3 |
| 7 | Providence-City Of | Providence · 333,142 served | 3 |
| 8 | Cne - New London Turnpike Entry Point | Warwick · 9,999 served | 3 |
| 9 | Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth · 17,090 served | 3 |
| 10 | Jamestown Water Department | Jamestown · 3,348 served | 2 |
| 11 | Slatersville Public Supply | North Smithfield · 3,403 served | 2 |
| 12 | Dowling Village | Warwick · 2,720 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Rhode Island?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Kingston Water District in West Kingston had the highest recorded PFAS level in Rhode Island at 36.8 ppt - about 9x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Rhode Island water system has the highest lead levels?
Naval Station, Newport in Newport had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Rhode Island under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 40 ppb - 2.7x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Rhode Island water system has the most EPA violations?
Narragansett Water System-Point Judith in Narragansett has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Rhode Island, with 12 violations.
Where does the Rhode Island water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Rhode Island Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Rhode Island water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.