2026 Rankings

Least Reliable Water Systems in Rhode Island — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 2026

93 ZIP codes ranked by Reliability Score #1: ZIP 02833 (Hopkinton, RI) — 20/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 93 ZIP codes with data in Rhode Island, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All Rhode Island Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 93
Lowest value 20/100
Median value 69/100
State Rhode Island

93 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Reliability Score Safety Score
1 02833 Hopkinton RI 20/100 59/100
2 02822 Exeter RI 25/100 62/100
3 02882 Narragansett RI 25/100 33/100
4 02825 Foster RI 28/100 48/100
5 02886 Warwick RI 42/100 54/100
6 02887 Warwick RI 42/100 64/100
7 02888 Warwick RI 42/100 54/100
8 02889 Warwick RI 42/100 49/100
9 02804 Ashaway RI 47/100 69/100
10 02871 Portsmouth RI 51/100 60/100
11 02879 Wakefield RI 51/100 52/100
12 02880 Wakefield RI 51/100 67/100
13 02896 North Smithfield RI 52/100 74/100
14 02874 Saunderstown RI 54/100 60/100
15 02814 Chepachet RI 55/100 78/100
16 02816 Coventry RI 55/100 55/100
17 02852 North Kingstown RI 57/100 54/100
18 02898 Wyoming RI 57/100 65/100
19 02813 Charlestown RI 59/100 53/100
20 02815 Clayville RI 60/100 53/100
21 02836 Kenyon RI 60/100 53/100
22 02858 Oakland RI 60/100 63/100
23 02872 Prudence Island RI 60/100 79/100
24 02891 Westerly RI 60/100 41/100
25 02892 West Kingston RI 60/100 63/100
26 02917 Smithfield RI 64/100 76/100
27 02808 Bradford RI 65/100 53/100
28 02812 Carolina RI 65/100 40/100
29 02818 East Greenwich RI 65/100 35/100
30 02823 Fiskeville RI 65/100 40/100
31 02824 Forestdale RI 65/100 53/100
32 02828 Greenville RI 65/100 83/100
33 02830 Harrisville RI 65/100 63/100
34 02839 Mapleville RI 65/100 53/100
35 02863 Central Falls RI 65/100 55/100
36 02875 Shannock RI 65/100 40/100
37 02881 Kingston RI 65/100 70/100
38 02883 Peace Dale RI 65/100 40/100
39 02894 Wood River Junction RI 65/100 53/100
40 02916 Rumford RI 65/100 55/100
41 02832 Hope Valley RI 67/100 64/100
42 02878 Tiverton RI 67/100 72/100
43 02801 Adamsville RI 68/100 63/100
44 02837 Little Compton RI 68/100 55/100
45 02873 Rockville RI 68/100 40/100
46 02901 Providence RI 69/100 65/100
47 02902 Providence RI 69/100 69/100
48 02903 Providence RI 69/100 64/100
49 02904 Providence RI 69/100 54/100
50 02905 Providence RI 69/100 59/100
51 02906 Providence RI 69/100 64/100
52 02907 Providence RI 69/100 64/100
53 02908 Providence RI 69/100 64/100
54 02909 Providence RI 69/100 59/100
55 02912 Providence RI 69/100 65/100
56 02918 Providence RI 69/100 65/100
57 02940 Providence RI 69/100 69/100
58 02807 Block Island RI 70/100 65/100
59 02826 Glendale RI 70/100 83/100
60 02831 Hope RI 70/100 45/100
61 02835 Jamestown RI 70/100 71/100
62 02840 Newport RI 70/100 67/100
63 02841 Newport RI 70/100 82/100
64 02842 Middletown RI 70/100 72/100
65 02860 Pawtucket RI 70/100 78/100
66 02861 Pawtucket RI 70/100 83/100
67 02862 Pawtucket RI 70/100 83/100
68 02876 Slatersville RI 70/100 74/100
69 02910 Cranston RI 70/100 45/100
70 02911 North Providence RI 70/100 50/100
71 02919 Johnston RI 70/100 50/100
72 02920 Cranston RI 70/100 45/100
73 02921 Cranston RI 70/100 55/100
74 02806 Barrington RI 75/100 55/100
75 02827 Greene RI 75/100 63/100
76 02838 Manville RI 75/100 63/100
77 02893 West Warwick RI 75/100 40/100
78 02915 Riverside RI 75/100 55/100
79 02800 Bristol County RI 80/100 —
80 02809 Bristol RI 80/100 80/100
81 02821 Washington County RI 80/100 —
82 02829 Harmony RI 80/100 53/100
83 02859 Pascoag RI 80/100 78/100
84 02864 Cumberland RI 80/100 78/100
85 02877 Slocum RI 80/100 53/100
86 02885 Warren RI 80/100 84/100
87 02890 Bristol County RI 80/100 —
88 02895 Woonsocket RI 80/100 74/100
89 02914 East Providence RI 80/100 73/100
90 02802 Albion RI 83/100 63/100
91 02817 West Greenwich RI 83/100 64/100
92 02857 North Scituate RI 83/100 63/100
93 02865 Lincoln RI 88/100 78/100

Methodology

Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a low water reliability score mean?

A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.

How is reliability different from safety score?

The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

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Home Safety 2026 Combined water, lead, radon and environmental risk PFAS 2026 Forever chemicals detected in drinking water Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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