Warwick, RI: 4 Health Violations — 55/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Based on current EPA data, Warwick, RI reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Warwick Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Warwick Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 112 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,150 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.86 — above typical levels.
Warwick's Water Providers
Throughout Warwick, RI, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 6 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Warwick, Rhode Island (population ~77,409), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 177,267 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Warwick: C (55/100)
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
Warwick water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 40 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 30 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 25 | 4 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 15 | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02886 | D | 28 | 1 | Warwick-city of |
| 02887 | C | 28 | 1 | Warwick-city of |
| 02888 | D | 28 | 1 | Warwick-city of |
| 02889 | D | 28 | 1 | Warwick-city of |
All ZIP Codes in Warwick
- 02886 [D] — 28 violations ⚠
- 02887 [C] — 28 violations ⚠
- 02888 [D] — 28 violations ⚠
- 02889 [D] — 28 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.
Warwick Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Warwick's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Warwick Infrastructure Age
With 86% 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 median home in Warwick was built in 1956 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Warwick 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 Warwick
For most homeowners in Warwick, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Warwick are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,050–$4,450 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% below the Rhode Island average.
Warwick: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 86% of Warwick stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Warwick: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Warwick carries a substantial flood exposure profile — 798 claims filed over the program's long tracking window and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. For water quality, that exposure level means flooding has likely stressed local treatment and distribution infrastructure on multiple occasions, creating periodic windows of elevated contamination risk.
Warwick has a significant flood history with 798 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,036 per claim. With 100% 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>$3,150</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 Warwick
- 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 Combined Radium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Warwick's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 86% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Warwick, RI