CITY REPORT RI

Prudence Island, RI: 6 Violations — 79/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems in Prudence Island, RI serve households with few reported safety events.

How Prudence Island Compares

Prudence Island79/100
Rhode Island avg61/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
B · 79
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$294K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation (0.5% of home value)

Key Facts for Prudence Island Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 97% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.92.

Prudence Island's Water Providers

Prudence Island, RI draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.

Portsmouth Water & Fire District
Serves ~17,090 people · 6 violations
79
/100
Prudence Island Water District
Serves ~1,500 people · 6 violations
79
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Prudence Island, Rhode Island (population ~105), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 18,590 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Prudence Island: B (79/100)

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

Prudence Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 4 1
Contaminant 2959 Other 2 1
Total Organic Carbon Disinfection Byproducts 2 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
02872 B 6 0 Prudence Island Water District

All ZIP Codes in Prudence Island

  • 02872 [B] — 6 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Prudence Island Community Health Snapshot

10.6%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
10.3%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
13.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.6% ↑
Diabetes 10.3% ↓
Mental Health 13.9% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Prudence Island's Water?

Consumer Confidence Report Rule 4 violations
Reporting
Contaminant 2959 2 violations
Other
Total Organic Carbon 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Prudence Island Infrastructure Age

1903
Median Build Year
97%
Built Before 1986
81%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Likely Pipe Material

With 97% 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

Reading the housing age data for Prudence Island — median build year 1903 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.

1903
Median Year Built
97%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
81%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (81%) 1970–1986 (16%) Post-1986 (3%)

Over half of homes in Prudence Island 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Prudence Island

When remediation costs are measured against Prudence Island home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.

Median Home Value
$293,600
Est. Remediation
$1,600
Remediation as % of home value 0.5%

Remediation costs in Prudence Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% below the Rhode Island average.

Prudence Island: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

97%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.001
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Practically, the structural drivers in Prudence Island — 97% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Prudence Island: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Multiple flood events have been recorded for Prudence Island through the NFIP — 4 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.

4
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$9,626
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Prudence Island has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $9,626 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>$1,600</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Prudence Island, RI?
Prudence Island has an average water safety score of 79/100 (Grade B). 6 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Prudence Island have?
Prudence Island water systems have a total of 6 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Prudence Island water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Prudence Island is 0.001 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Prudence Island compare to Rhode Island average?
Prudence Island has an average water safety score of 79/100, which is above the Rhode Island state average of 61/100.
How many water systems serve Prudence Island?
Prudence Island is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 105 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Prudence Island?
Estimated remediation costs in Prudence Island average $1,600 per household, ranging from $800 to $2,600. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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