C45/100
PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 17,090 people · Rhode Island
Water Source
Purchased Surface Water
County
—
System ID
RI1592022
Violations
13
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
chlorate | 340.00 µg/L | — | Above Goal |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.005 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
3
Violations (last 5yr)
0
Unresolved
3
Health-Related
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT
Is PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT water safe to drink?
PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT water receives a grade of C (45/100), which is considered fair. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 13 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT detected?
69 contaminants were tested in PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT have any EPA violations?
Yes, PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT has 13 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include MCL, RPT, MR. 9 are health-based violations.
How many people does PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT serve?
PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT serves approximately 17,090 people, Rhode Island. The system provides water to 1 community: Portsmouth.
What type of water does PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT provide?
PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT sources its water from purchased surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is RI1592022.
How does PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT compare to other utilities in Rhode Island?
PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT scores 45/100 with a grade of C (fair). This score indicates room for improvement compared to other utilities. Visit our Rhode Island state page for a full comparison of water systems.