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Washington County, RI Water Quality

Water quality data for 8 public water systems serving Washington County, Rhode Island — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 8 water systems · 10 cities
⚠️
Caution Advised — Some Systems Need Attention

Some systems have elevated lead levels or active violations. Check your specific city below.

C

Washington County Earns a C

Washington County: 10 communities across 8 water systems. 100.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 3.20 ppb
  • 7 communities with a lead detection, 3 reporting none detected
  • 3 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 6 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 100.0% of communities have no open violations
3.2 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
8
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
100%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • New Shoreham
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Charlestown
    Not detected
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • South Kingstown
    3.20 ppb
    7 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Narragansett
    3.20 ppb
    7 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Exeter
    Not detected
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Charlestown
    6.00 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 2 sampling points
    D
  • Westerly
    5.10 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 4 of 7 sampling points
    D
  • North Kingstown
    1.30 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 2 of 6 sampling points
    C
  • Richmond
    0.30 ppb
    3 significant inspection deficiencies
    C
  • Hopkinton
    0.30 ppb
    3 significant inspection deficiencies
    C
County Lead Level — Median 3.2 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 3.2 ppb — 21.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
5
5 – 10 ppb
2
No Data
3

All Cities in Washington County

North Kingstown 1.30 ppb C
Westerly 5.10 ppb D
South Kingstown 3.20 ppb B
Narragansett 3.20 ppb B
New Shoreham Not detected A
Richmond 0.30 ppb C
Charlestown 6.00 ppb D
Exeter Not detected B
Hopkinton 0.30 ppb C
Charlestown Not detected B
Showing 10 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Washington County Drinking Water

Washington County is served by 8 water systems covering 10 communities. No community here has an open violation on record.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 7 recorded a detection, with a median of 3.20 ppb — 21% of the federal action level. 3 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

3 of 10 communities have PFAS above the limits EPA set in 2024, measured as a running annual average at each sampling point. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 6 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington County tap water safe to drink?▼
No community in Washington County has an open violation on record. 3 of 10 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Washington County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 3.20 ppb, 21% of the 15 ppb action level. 3 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Washington County?▼
8 community water systems serve 10 communities here.
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