Worst Infrastructure: Rhode Island

Out of 89 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Rhode Island, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	89
Highest risk	68%
Median risk	52%
Average risk	53%
State	Rhode Island

Top 89 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

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

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Worst Infrastructure: Rhode Island — 2026 Rankings