Portsmouth Water & Fire District
EPA ID: RI1592022 · 17,090 people served · 2 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Portsmouth Water & Fire District (RI1592022): 3 past health-based violations, since resolved. Records for Portsmouth Water & Fire District show 3 violations over the monitored period, with every finding addressed and officially closed - the provider, which serves approximately 17,090 people, carries no outstanding enforcement actions in the current EPA dataset and meets all applicable drinking water requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Portsmouth Water & Fire District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Portsmouth Water & Fire District serves a community with a median household income of $126,052 and an estimated 17,740 residents across its service area. Approximately 83% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Portsmouth Water & Fire District's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Portsmouth Water & Fire District compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Portsmouth Water & Fire District (EPA ID: RI1592022) is a community water system in Rhode Island that serves approximately 17,090 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2022 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0048 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by RI or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Portsmouth Water & Fire District (RI1592022) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth Water & Fire District water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Portsmouth Water & Fire District; its 3 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Portsmouth Water & Fire District serve?
Portsmouth Water & Fire District serves approximately 17,090 people across 2 ZIP codes in Rhode Island.
Where does Portsmouth Water & Fire District get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Portsmouth Water and Fire District (RI): 3 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ri1592022/
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title = {{Portsmouth Water and Fire District (RI): 3 Health Violations}},
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Portsmouth Water & Fire District (EPA ID: RI1592022) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.