Water Quality in Portsmouth, RI: 81 Violations - Grade N/A
3 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 81 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Portsmouth. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Portsmouth
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02871 | 81 | 3 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Portsmouth.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
Water Quality Overview
Portsmouth, Rhode Island has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 81 violations, including 3 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Portsmouth water systems is 0.0048 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 68% of homes built before 1986, Portsmouth has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Portsmouth
Portsmouth is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 17,635 people across 1 ZIP code.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Portsmouth. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Portsmouth
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Portsmouth Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Portsmouth's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Bromochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Bromodichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Portsmouth:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
Violations have increased from 1 in 2022 to 2 in 2023. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Portsmouth. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-02-26 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-02-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-09-02 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-13 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-08-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-11 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-02-26.
Portsmouth vs. Nearby Rhode Island Cities
How Portsmouth's water quality compares to similar cities in Rhode Island:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 1 | 81 | 3 | 17,635 |
| Lincoln | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18,033 |
| Barrington | 1 | 2 | 1 | 17,113 |
| Middletown | 1 | 6 | 2 | 16,920 |
Common Questions About Portsmouth Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Portsmouth, Rhode Island:
Is Portsmouth water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Portsmouth's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Portsmouth tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 3 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Portsmouth? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Portsmouth vs. Rhode Island Average
Understanding how Portsmouth compares to the broader Rhode Island average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Portsmouth.
ZIP Codes in Portsmouth
Portsmouth spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.