Providence, RI: 24 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
12 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in RI, Providence carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Providence Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Providence, RI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Providence score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Providence Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 84 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.01 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.26 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Providence
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Providence, RI — out of 7 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 12 ZIP codes in Providence, Rhode Island (population ~219,179), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 353,967 people region-wide.
12 of 12 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 24 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Providence: 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
Providence water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0100 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 12 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 26 | 12 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 12 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 13 | 12 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 13 | 12 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 13 | 12 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02901 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02902 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02903 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02904 | D | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02905 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02906 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02907 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02908 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02909 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
| 02912 | C | 7 | 2 | Providence-city of |
All ZIP Codes in Providence
- 02901 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02902 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02903 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02904 [D] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02905 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02906 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02907 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02908 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02909 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02912 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02918 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 02940 [C] — 7 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.
Health Outcomes in Providence
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
Top Contaminants in Providence Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Providence
With 89% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Providence, where the median build year is 1931, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Providence 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 Providence Homeowners
How much of a Providence home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Providence are relatively low compared to home values. The $883–$2,983 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the Rhode Island average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Providence
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.
Locally, 89% of Providence homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Providence
Providence's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 506 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 75% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Providence has a significant flood history with 506 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,279 per claim. With 75% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,800</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 Providence
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Providence's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Providence, RI