Health Violations Found

Portsmouth, RI (02871): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems

EPA data combined for 3 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Portsmouth Water & Fire District)

Health Violations Found PFAS Detected NFIP Claim History

Health-based violation records by water system:

EPA records for the water systems mapped to 02871 in Portsmouth, RI contain 81 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 3 are marked health-based.

Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS

Based on EPA Drinking Water FEMA Flood Data U.S. Census CDC Energy Information Admin. USGS Water Data & 9 more federal sources
Latest air quality, EPA records and weather alerts Current data temporarily unavailable
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Water records and current conditions
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Safety Score N/A
Water Quality Issues 3 health-based violation records
Lead Risk Below action level 0.0048 mg/L, 90th percentile, sample period ending 2024-12-31
NFIP Claim History Claim records 209 claims
Data confidence: High (direct measurement) Medium (sampled / sub-geography) Low (modeled / inferred) Methodology →

At a Glance

  • Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 3 health-based violations and 78 non-health-based (since 2021).
  • Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0048 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
  • PFAS PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling; see the PFAS section for each compound, compared with the federal PFAS MCL where one exists.
  • Radon EPA Zone 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
  • Flood 209 cumulative NFIP claim records. This historical count is not a current property-risk verdict.
Contaminant Summary
Health Violations
81 violations 3 health-based PFAS detected 1 risk identified
Report data assembled: Jul 27, 2026 EPA water-system identity: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record EPA violation history: more than two update cycles old Lead, copper and UCMR measurements: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record
3
Water Systems
17,090
People Served
3
Health Violations (since 2021)Median is 0
Surface water
Water Source
0.0048 mg/L
Reported Lead Result2.1× the national median for this measure
Zone 2
County Radon Potential · Moderate
$540K
Median Home Value43% above state median ($378K)

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Score Breakdown

Overall Home Safety Score: Score unavailable

Required evidence is missing. Missing values remain unknown and are not imputed or renormalized.

Canonical components

EPA water compliance
0/100
Observed
PFAS MCL screen
100/100
Observed
EPA radon zone
50/100
Observed
Annual EPA AirData AQI
Unknown
Evidence missing

Required domains

Drinking water
50/100
Indoor environment
50/100
Outdoor environment
Unknown

Coverage: 3 of 4 components and 2 of 3 domains observed.

Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.

Safety & Health (8) CRITICAL

Your Water System

ZIP code 02871 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island is mapped to the water system Portsmouth Water & Fire District (EPA ID: RI1592022). This system provides water to approximately 17,090 people from surface water sources.

There are 3 community water systems serving this area.

Water Systems Serving This Area

System Name EPA ID Population Source
Portsmouth Water & Fire District RI1592022 17,090 Surface water
Newport-city of RI1592010 42,155 Surface water
Prudence Island Water District RI1592023 1,500 Groundwater

Other Water Quality Reports in Rhode Island

Nearby Water Quality Reports

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Portsmouth Water & Fire District (RI1592022) on EPA.gov.

4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.

📊 EPA Safe Drinking Water · View source →

Compliance History

2021 2022 1 2023 2 2024 2025
Health-based (MCL/TT) Other violations

PFAS Contamination Detected

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 02871.

Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFBA, PFHxA.

Highest measured level: 0.0061 µg/L

Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.

📊 EPA UCMR5 · View source →

Health Risks from Detected Contaminants

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

High Risk

EPA reference value: 0.08 mg/L · 3 violations on record

Long-term exposure is associated with increased cancer risk, including bladder cancer; possible reproductive effects

At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water

Treatment options (verify a product is certified to reduce this contaminant): granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration · Find a filter →

📊 EPA SDWIS + SDWA · View source →
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (7) MODERATE

Possible home maintenance concerns - talk to a local expert.

Call (855) 384-4856

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Cost & Community (9) HIGH

CPSC product recall notices

These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.

View all recalls →

📊 CPSC · View source →

Protect Your Home in Portsmouth

Based on local data for ZIP 02871, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.

Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.

Home & Flood Insurance

The ZIP code for this report in Portsmouth has 209 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.

Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote

Check Your Flood Zone (Free)

FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone

Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)

Gutter Installation & Repair

The median home in 02871 was built around 1976. Aging gutters can cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and mold - a professional assessment can prevent costly repairs.

Typical cost: Gutter installation: typically $1,000–$2,500 for a standard home

Estimate Your Home Maintenance Costs

Window Replacement

The median build year of homes in Portsmouth is 1976; check the age and condition of your own windows. ENERGY STAR windows can save $101–$583/year on energy bills.

Typical cost: Window replacement: typically $300–$800 per window installed

Estimate Your Home Maintenance Costs

Roofing Inspection & Repair

Homes built around 1976 may be on their second or third roof. A professional inspection can catch damage before leaks start.

Typical cost: Roof inspection: typically $75–$300; repairs $300–$1,500

Estimate Your Home Insurance Needs

Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in 02871 safe to drink?

EPA SDWIS records 81 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 02871 (primary system: Portsmouth Water & Fire District), including 3 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.

Where does 02871's water come from?

The recorded water source for Portsmouth Water & Fire District, a system mapped to ZIP code 02871, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 17,090 people.

How can I get my water tested in Portsmouth?

If Portsmouth Water & Fire District supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.

Is lead a concern in 02871 tap water?

The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 02871 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0048 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2024-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.

What is the radon risk for 02871?

02871 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Newport County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.

Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 02871's water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 02871. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.

What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 02871?

FEMA records contain 209 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 02871; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. This is a substantial claim history, but claim count is not a count of distinct events or properties. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Portsmouth, RI (02871): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems. https://zipcheckup.com/report/02871/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-report-02871,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Portsmouth, RI (02871): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/02871/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

Nearby ZIP Code Reports

Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 02871

ZIP Code City, State Distance Grade Violations
02878 Tiverton, RI 4.6 mi N/A 30
02801 Adamsville, RI 4.7 mi N/A 0
02842 Middletown, RI 5.3 mi N/A 6
02809 Bristol, RI 6.1 mi N/A 2
02837 Little Compton, RI 6.9 mi N/A 0
02841 Newport, RI 7.0 mi N/A 4
02724 Fall River, MA 7.4 mi B 30
02872 Prudence Island, RI 8.0 mi N/A 77
02721 Fall River, MA 8.1 mi B 30
02840 Newport, RI 8.3 mi N/A 4

Contaminants Detected in 02871

Learn more about the contaminants found in your water supply:

Overall safety breakdown

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