B75/100
PROVIDENCE-CITY OF — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 333,142 people · Rhode Island
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
RI1592024
Violations
10
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.002 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
2
Violations (last 5yr)
0
Unresolved
0
Health-Related
TIER 3Resolved
Violation related to Nitrate
When: November 22, 2024 – November 23, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 1 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 PROVIDENCE-CITY OF
Is PROVIDENCE-CITY OF water safe to drink?
PROVIDENCE-CITY OF water receives a grade of B (75/100), which is considered good. Out of 76 contaminants tested, none exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed non-enforceable health goals. The water meets federal safety standards.
What contaminants has PROVIDENCE-CITY OF detected?
76 contaminants were tested in PROVIDENCE-CITY OF's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does PROVIDENCE-CITY OF have any EPA violations?
Yes, PROVIDENCE-CITY OF has 10 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2024. Violation types include Other, MR, MCL. 3 are health-based violations.
How many people does PROVIDENCE-CITY OF serve?
PROVIDENCE-CITY OF serves approximately 333,142 people, Rhode Island. The system provides water to 4 communities: Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, Providence.
What type of water does PROVIDENCE-CITY OF provide?
PROVIDENCE-CITY OF sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is RI1592024.
How does PROVIDENCE-CITY OF compare to other utilities in Rhode Island?
PROVIDENCE-CITY OF scores 75/100 with a grade of B (good). This is an above-average performance for utilities statewide. Visit our Rhode Island state page for a full comparison of water systems.