East Greenwich, RI: High Radon Risk — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching East Greenwich, RI tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How East Greenwich Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
East Greenwich Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.86 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving East Greenwich
East Greenwich, RI draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 3 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in East Greenwich, Rhode Island (population ~19,869), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 164,231 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in East Greenwich — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Greenwich: F (35/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
East Greenwich water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for East Greenwich
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02818 | F | WARWICK-CITY OF | 73,289 |
All ZIP Codes in East Greenwich
- 02818 [F]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for East Greenwich
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is East Greenwich's Housing Stock?
With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
What does a median build year of 1976 mean for water safety in East Greenwich? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in East Greenwich were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
East Greenwich: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of East Greenwich's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in East Greenwich are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the Rhode Island average.
Protecting Children from Lead in East Greenwich
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 69% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in East Greenwich.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for East Greenwich
FEMA data shows 100% of East Greenwich's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 206 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
East Greenwich has a moderate flood history with 206 FEMA claims averaging $7,767 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in East Greenwich
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for East Greenwich, RI