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Rhode Island Water Quality Rankings

32 cities ranked · Data from EPA SDWIS

71.3
State avg score
32
Cities ranked
63%
A or B grade
19%
D or F grade
31
Health violations
19
PFAS detected
Analysis

Rhode Island water quality overview

Rhode Island's drinking water quality is fair overall, with a state average score of 71.3 out of 100 — 3.2 points below the national average of 74.5. The median city score is 76, reflecting how water quality is distributed across the state's 32 ranked cities. The state shows a mixed picture: 5 cities earned an A grade while 4 cities received an F. The majority fall in the B–C range. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 19 of 32 cities (59%). Of those, 12 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels — a health concern requiring action. 31 cities have recorded health-based violations with the EPA — meaning contaminant levels exceeded safe limits or required testing was missed. Use the table below to find your city's specific record.

Grade Distribution

How Rhode Island cities scored

16%
47%
19%
13%
A
5
16%
Excellent
B
15
47%
Good
C
6
19%
Fair
D
2
6%
Poor
F
4
13%
Failing
Score Distribution

Score distribution by range

13 7 0
1
4
2
5
5
13
2
0–9
10–19
20–29
30–39
40–49
50–59
60–69
70–79
80–89
90–100
Comparison

State vs national average

B-
Rhode Island
71.3/100
B-
National avg
74.5/100
▼ 3.2 pts below national average
City Map

Water quality across Rhode Island

Each dot is a city, colored by grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full report.

Rhode Island city water quality map
Water quality: A B C D F
11 cities mapped · hover to preview · click to explore
Highlights

Top & bottom cities in Rhode Island

Best 10 cities

  1. 1 A Barrington 92.4 49K
  2. 2 A Lincoln 90.6 22K
  3. 3 A- East Providence 86.5 48K
  4. 4 A- Central Falls 86 98K
  5. 5 A- Pawtucket 86 98K
  6. 6 B+ Jamestown 84.2 3K
  7. 7 B+ Johnston 83.3 333K
  8. 8 B+ North Providence 83.3 333K
  9. 9 B+ North Kingstown 82.7 28K
  10. 10 B+ Providence 82.3 333K

Worst 10 cities

  1. 23 F South Kingstown 32.5 22K
  2. 24 F Portsmouth 41.8 17K
  3. 25 F Charlestown 43 943
  4. 26 F Burrillville 43 6K
  5. 27 D Tiverton 46.5 15K
  6. 28 D+ Narragansett 52.4 13K
  7. 29 C- Richmond 55.7 3K
  8. 30 C Westerly 60.4 35K
  9. 31 C+ North Smithfield 65.6 3K
  10. 32 C+ Scituate 67.2 1K
Full Rankings

All 32 cities in Rhode Island

# City Grade Score Score Population Violations Issues
1 Barrington
A
 92.4
49K 38 Health Unresolved
2 Lincoln
A
 90.6
22K 4 Unresolved
3 East Providence
A-
 86.5
48K 12 Health Unresolved
4 Central Falls
A-
 86
98K 13 Health Unresolved
5 Pawtucket
A-
 86
98K 13 Health Unresolved
6 Jamestown
B+
 84.2
3K 22 Health Unresolved
7 Johnston
B+
 83.3
333K 11 Health Unresolved
8 North Providence
B+
 83.3
333K 11 Health Unresolved
9 North Kingstown
B+
 82.7
28K 59 Health PFAS Unresolved
10 Providence
B+
 82.3
333K 11 Health Unresolved
11 Warren
B+
 82.3
49K 44 Health Unresolved
12 East Greenwich
B+
 82
89K 8 Health PFAS Unresolved
13 West Warwick
B+
 82
89K 8 Health PFAS Unresolved
14 New Shoreham
B+
 80.1
10K 77 Health Unresolved
15 West Greenwich
B
 80
89K 20 Health PFAS Unresolved
16 Middletown
B
 77.2
42K 45 Health Unresolved
17 Newport
B
 76
50K 65 Health Unresolved
18 Cumberland
B
 75.8
21K 43 Health PFAS Unresolved
19 Woonsocket
B-
 73.2
46K 28 Health PFAS Unresolved
20 Cranston
B-
 72.2
333K 19 Health PFAS Unresolved
21 Smithfield
C+
 68.5
10K 54 Health Unresolved
22 Warwick
C+
 67.9
75K 40 Health PFAS Unresolved
23 Scituate
C+
 67.2
1K 42 Health PFAS Unresolved
24 North Smithfield
C+
 65.6
3K 36 Health Unresolved
25 Westerly
C
 60.4
35K 70 Health PFAS Unresolved
26 Richmond
C-
 55.7
3K 48 Health Unresolved
27 Narragansett
D+
 52.4
13K 44 Health PFAS Unresolved
28 Tiverton
D
 46.5
15K 173 Health Unresolved
29 Burrillville
F
 43
6K 179 Health Unresolved
30 Charlestown
F
 43
943 173 Health Unresolved
31 Portsmouth
F
 41.8
17K 151 Health Unresolved
32 South Kingstown
F
 32.5
22K 240 Health PFAS Unresolved
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