WaterQ
Rhode Island State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Providence tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
B

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100.

Safety Score
70
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Providence?

Read Decision Guide →

Providence

Rhode Island

View Rhode Island state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Providence tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Providence. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 07:00 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Providence.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Providence?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Wondering if Providence tap water needs filtering? We break it down.

Baby Formula Safety

Mixing baby formula with Providence tap water? Read this first.

Homebuyer's Perspective

If you're house-hunting in Providence, water quality belongs on your due-diligence checklist alongside schools and crime data. With a score of 70/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Uranium levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Providence

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
1
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Providence tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100.

How many water systems serve Providence?

Providence is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Providence?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Providence.

What is the water quality score for Providence?

The water quality score for Providence is 70 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Providence?

The top contaminants detected in Providence include Uranium, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), Manganese. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
70/100
Grade
C
Water Systems
1
Population
333,142

Providence Water Quality Summary

Providence, RI receives a water quality score of 70/100 (Grade C) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 1 public water system serving the area.

Providence's water quality is near the national average. While most systems meet EPA standards, some violations have been recorded. Residents may wish to review their specific water system's report for contaminant details.

Providence's score of 70 is 1 point above the Rhode Island state average of 69, and below the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

As a large city situated within Rhode Island’s dense, coastal urban landscape, Providence relies on infrastructure typical of the older Northeast region. For current residents and prospective homebuyers, the moderate ratings of the local water system point to the ongoing challenges of distributing water through an aging network. Understanding these regional infrastructure factors is key for anyone evaluating residential properties in the city.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Rhode Island water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Uranium Violation
59.1005 / 30 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 30 μg/L
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
0.004 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Manganese
34.8077 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Radium-226
3.082 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
Radium-228
1.856 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
Barium
0.5224 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
Lead
2.78 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
Chloramine
0.2838 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L

Get notified if Providence's water quality changes

Free email alert when the EPA reports a new violation or boil-water advisory for your water system. No spam — just the alerts you asked for.

By subscribing you agree to receive occasional water-quality alert emails. Unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Water Systems Serving Providence (1)

Related

Compare Providence water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality