Cumberland, RI Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Cumberland, RI — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Cumberland's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Cumberland, Town Of PWSID: RI1647530 Updated: 2026 Q2

⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 3 of 5 sampling points

Lead is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 1.36 times the limit.

Cumberland earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 1.00 ppb — 7% of the federal action level

PFAS above the federal limit at 3 of 5 sampling points

15 violations since 2015, 0 health-based

No violations currently open

Cumberland's lead level vs. all Rhode Island community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 1.00 ppb — 7% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 79% of Rhode Island utilities

Population Served

26192

~8565 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Active Violations

15 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

7% of EPA action level

1.00 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2022	Resolved
Turbidity	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2018	Resolved
Cryptosporidium	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	—	2018	Resolved
E. COLI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0	2018	Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2018	Resolved
Turbidity	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2018	Resolved
Cryptosporidium	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	—	2018	Resolved
E. COLI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0	2018	Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2017	Resolved
Turbidity	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2017	Resolved
Cryptosporidium	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	—	2017	Resolved
E. COLI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0	2017	Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2017	Resolved
E. COLI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0	2017	Resolved
E. COLI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0	2016	Resolved

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

15 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Cumberland, Town Of

PWSID RI1647530

Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Population served 26,192

Service connections 8,565

Systems serving this area 4

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cumberland tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 5 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the action level.

Does Cumberland water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 1.36 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Cumberland? ▼

Cumberland, Town Of (PWSID RI1647530), one of 4 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2023-07-07. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Cumberland Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Flush before drinking

If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in Rhode Island

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