Rhode Island Tap Water Quality Report
49 cities analyzed • 991,989 people served
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG & EPA SDWIS
Most Common Contaminants in Rhode Island
| Contaminant | Found In | % of Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate carcinogen | 35 of 49 | 71% |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 34 of 49 | 69% |
| Barium | 32 of 49 | 65% |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 32 of 49 | 65% |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) carcinogen | 30 of 49 | 61% |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 29 of 49 | 59% |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 28 of 49 | 57% |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 28 of 49 | 57% |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 28 of 49 | 57% |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 28 of 49 | 57% |
City-by-City Water Quality Rankings
Ranked by number of contaminants above EWG health guidelines (most to fewest).
| # | City | Detected | Above Guidelines | Above Legal | People Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport | 42 | 21 | 0 | 42,155 |
| 2 | Portsmouth | 42 | 20 | 0 | 17,090 |
| 3 | Cumberland | 36 | 18 | 0 | 21,235 |
| 4 | Pawtucket | 30 | 17 | 1 | 98,130 |
| 5 | West Warwick | 39 | 17 | 0 | 88,779 |
| 6 | Westerly | 27 | 17 | 0 | 35,298 |
| 7 | Rumford | 39 | 17 | 0 | 9,999 |
| 8 | Exeter | 23 | 16 | 3 | 300 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | 31 | 14 | 0 | 45,869 |
| 10 | Jamestown | 18 | 14 | 0 | 3,294 |
| 11 | Harrisville | 21 | 14 | 0 | 3,012 |
| 12 | Pascoag | 28 | 14 | 0 | 2,985 |
| 13 | North Smithfield | 31 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | North Kingstown | 33 | 13 | 0 | 25,200 |
| 15 | Wakefield | 20 | 13 | 0 | 22,347 |
| 16 | Kingston | 26 | 13 | 2 | 19,354 |
| 17 | Narragansett | 21 | 13 | 0 | 8,210 |
| 18 | Slatersville | 20 | 13 | 0 | 750 |
| 19 | Lincoln | 20 | 10 | 0 | 21,664 |
| 20 | Bristol | 18 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Warwick | 20 | 9 | 0 | 73,289 |
| 22 | Warren | 21 | 9 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 23 | East Providence | 20 | 9 | 0 | 47,618 |
| 24 | Greenville | 19 | 9 | 0 | 9,500 |
| 25 | Smithfield | 19 | 9 | 0 | 9,460 |
| 26 | Tiverton | 15 | 9 | 0 | 8,969 |
| 27 | Providence | 17 | 8 | 0 | 317,716 |
| 28 | West Kingston | 14 | 7 | 0 | 3,968 |
| 29 | Charlestown | 11 | 6 | 2 | 470 |
| 30 | Chepachet | 12 | 6 | 0 | 200 |
| 31 | Ashaway | 15 | 6 | 0 | 180 |
| 32 | Whitinsville | 7 | 6 | 0 | 150 |
| 33 | Foster | 10 | 6 | 0 | 45 |
| 34 | Canton | 14 | 6 | 2 | 28 |
| 35 | Hope Valley | 9 | 5 | 0 | 154 |
| 36 | Shannock | 14 | 5 | 0 | 75 |
| 37 | Middletown | 11 | 5 | 1 | 60 |
| 38 | Glendale | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | Westwood | 14 | 4 | 0 | 300 |
| 40 | Harwington | 8 | 4 | 0 | 200 |
| 41 | Saunderstown | 9 | 4 | 0 | 175 |
| 42 | N. Scituate | 12 | 4 | 1 | 26 |
| 43 | Block Island | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Wyoming | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2,671 |
| 45 | Rye | 9 | 2 | 0 | 250 |
| 46 | Stamford | 4 | 2 | 0 | 109 |
| 47 | Ledyard | 7 | 2 | 0 | 75 |
| 48 | Coventry | 3 | 1 | 0 | 130 |
| 49 | Prudence Island | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1,500 |
Recommended Filtration for Rhode Island
Based on the most common contaminants found across Rhode Island (Nitrate, Chloroform, Barium), we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system — the only technology proven to remove heavy metals, PFAS, and most other contaminants to safe levels.
Echo RO System
Removes up to 99.9% of contaminants. The gold standard for drinking water in Rhode Island homes.
View RO SystemsEcho Whole-Home Filter
Protect every tap in your home from chlorine, VOCs, and disinfection byproducts.
View Whole-Home FiltersEcho Hydrogen Water Flask
Once your water is clean, supercharge it with molecular hydrogen for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Rhode Island tap water safe to drink?
Water quality varies significantly across Rhode Island. Of the 49 cities analyzed, the average city has 9.2 contaminants above EWG health guidelines. The best water quality was found in Prudence Island. We recommend checking your specific city's report for detailed information.
What city has the best water in Rhode Island?
Based on our analysis, Prudence Island has the fewest contaminants above EWG health guidelines in Rhode Island, with 0 above guideline levels.
What city has the worst water in Rhode Island?
Based on our analysis, Newport has the most contaminants above EWG health guidelines in Rhode Island, with 21 above guideline levels.
What's the best water filter for Rhode Island residents?
For most Rhode Island households, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water and a whole-home filter for showers and baths. The specific recommendation depends on your city's contaminant profile — check your city's report for personalized guidance.
National Water Quality Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
