By State · RI

PFAS in Rhode Island water

Based on EPA UCMR 5 testing of 15 public water systems with PFAS detected in Rhode Island.

See Rhode Island on the national heatmap

Systems tested in state

With PFAS detected

Above EPA limits

10 (67%)

State totals reflect systems with at least one PFAS detection in UCMR 5 (the canonical EPA dataset). The 6,151 national total includes ~123 additional systems in US territories and on tribal lands not browsable as state pages.

Most contaminated in Rhode Island

10 Rhode Island water systems tested above EPA PFAS limits. The most severe is UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, where PFOA measured 16.0 ppt — 4.0× the federal limit.

See UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND → National rankings →

State context

How PFAS shows up in Rhode Island

Industrial context

Rhode Island's PFAS exposure includes the former Quonset Naval Air Station (North Kingstown) and AFFF impacts at the Cranston / T.F. Green airport fire-training area.

Regulatory stance

Rhode Island has established interim drinking-water guidance for PFAS but follows the federal EPA framework for enforceable MCLs.

Notable sites

The former Quonset NAS is on the DoD's PFAS investigation list; nearby private wells in North Kingstown have been impacted.

Editorial summary compiled from public DoD, EPA, and state agency disclosures. Not a comprehensive site inventory — for the authoritative list of PFAS investigation locations in Rhode Island, consult your state environmental agency.

Most Commonly Detected PFAS in Rhode Island

Systems with detections · EPA UCMR 5 (2023–2025)

PFHxA 12 systems

PFPeA 11 systems

PFOA 11 systems

PFBS 8 systems

PFHpA 7 systems

PFBA 6 systems

Check your Rhode Island ZIP code

Get specific results for your neighborhood's water utility.

Browse Rhode Island by city

2 cities

City overviews aggregate every utility and ZIP code in the area. Don't see your city? Use the ZIP lookup above — every Rhode Island ZIP has a result.

Water Systems in Rhode Island (15)

Water System ↕	PWSID	PFAS Detected ↕	Above MCL ↕	Risk
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Groundwater	RI1858422	9	2	High Risk
QUONSET BUSINESS PARK Groundwater	RI1592025	8	2	High Risk
WESTERLY WATER DEPARTMENT Groundwater	RI1559512	7	2	High Risk
NORTH KINGSTOWN TOWN OF Groundwater	RI1559517	6	2	High Risk
CUMBERLAND, TOWN OF Groundwater	RI1647530	6	2	High Risk
KENT COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY Groundwater	RI1559511	6	1	High Risk
WOONSOCKET WATER DIVISION Surface Water	RI1559518	5	1	High Risk
KINGSTON WATER DISTRICT Groundwater	RI1858421	5	1	High Risk
SOUTH KINGSTOWN-SOUTH SHORE Groundwater	RI1615623	4	1	High Risk
NARRAGANSETT WATER DEPT-NORTH END Groundwater	RI1858429	4	1	High Risk
NAVAL STATION, NEWPORT Surface Water	RI1000016	3	0	Low Level
NEWPORT-CITY OF Surface Water	RI1592010	3	0	Low Level
NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT Surface Water	RI1592018	1	0	Low Level
PAWTUCKET-CITY OF MX	RI1592021	1	0	Low Level
JAMESTOWN WATER DEPARTMENT Surface Water	RI1858419	1	0	Low Level

Click any row to see ZIP-level details. Click PWSID to see the full utility page.

Test your water

How to get your Rhode Island water tested for PFAS

EPA UCMR 5 tested 15 public water systems in Rhode Island — but at the utility entry point, not your tap. Aging pipes and indoor plumbing can change what reaches your home, and private wells aren't covered by UCMR 5 at all. To find out what's actually in your water, test it with a certified lab.

Rhode Island testing resources

Own state limits

State agency: Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) · state PFAS page
PFAS limits: Rhode Island has its own standard of 20 ppt for the sum of six PFAS (Sept 2024); systems must also meet the stricter federal limits.
Well testing: Rhode Island private-well testing guidance →

Compiled from official Rhode Island state sources. Programs and eligibility change — confirm current details with the agency.