Exeter, RI: 5 Health Violations — 62/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Exeter paints a mid-range picture within RI — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Exeter Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Exeter Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 37 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.41.
Water Systems Serving Exeter
5 water systems are tracked federally in Exeter, RI. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Exeter, Rhode Island, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 6,139 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Exeter: C (62/100)
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
Exeter water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 16 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02822 | C | 37 | 5 | Shadow Woods at Deer Brook |
All ZIP Codes in Exeter
- 02822 [C] — 37 violations ⚠
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 Exeter
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Exeter
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Exeter's Housing Stock?
With 55% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Exeter, the median build year of 1986 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Exeter 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.
Exeter: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Exeter remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Exeter are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% above the Rhode Island average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Exeter
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 55% of the Exeter inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Exeter
Flood exposure in Exeter is meaningful by NFIP measures — 10 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Exeter has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $5,240 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 Exeter
- 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. Filters rated for Combined Radium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Exeter's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Exeter, RI