North Scituate, RI Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in North Scituate, RI tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How North Scituate Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
North Scituate Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.26 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving North Scituate
Residential addresses in North Scituate, RI are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in North Scituate, Rhode Island (population ~8,095), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 98,478 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in North Scituate — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for North Scituate: C (63/100)
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
North Scituate water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for North Scituate
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02857 | C | Kent County Water Authority | 88,779 |
All ZIP Codes in North Scituate
- 02857 [C]
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 North Scituate
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 North Scituate's Housing Stock?
With 76% 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, North Scituate is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1963 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in North Scituate 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.
North Scituate: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of North Scituate'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 North Scituate are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the Rhode Island average.
Protecting Children from Lead in North Scituate
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 76% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in North Scituate.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for North Scituate
Flood activity in North Scituate is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 3-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
North Scituate has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims. 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>$2,200</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 North Scituate
- 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 76% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for North Scituate, RI