Forestdale, RI Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Forestdale has lagged behind RI benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Forestdale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Forestdale Water
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.26 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Forestdale
In Forestdale, RI, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Forestdale, Rhode Island (population ~375), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,153 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Forestdale — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Forestdale: D (53/100)
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
Forestdale water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Forestdale
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02824 | D | Slatersville Public Supply | 3,403 |
All ZIP Codes in Forestdale
- 02824 [D]
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.
Health Outcomes in Forestdale
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Forestdale
With 83% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Forestdale is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1954 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Forestdale 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Forestdale Homeowners
Setting Forestdale 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 Forestdale are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Rhode Island average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Forestdale
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 83% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Forestdale.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Forestdale
- 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 83% 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 Forestdale, RI