University of Rhode Island
EPA ID: RI1858422 · 19,354 people served · 2 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA records for University of Rhode Island (RI1858422): a UCMR5 PFAS sample above the level of an EPA PFAS MCL, which takes effect in 2029; this is not a violation. Across the monitored periods in available EPA data, University of Rhode Island has no violations listed for its service population of 19,354.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for University of Rhode Island Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - average Home Safety grade of mapped ZIPs: F
Demographics of ZIP Codes Served
The ZIP codes associated with University of Rhode Island have a median household income of $143,534 and about 12,887 residents live in those ZIP codes (Census; not the number of people this system supplies). Approximately 61% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
University of Rhode Island's water is classified in EPA records as a groundwater source. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS in ZIP Codes This System Serves
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with the ZIP codes in this system's area. These results can come from other water systems serving the same ZIP codes; check the UCMR5 section for any results reported for this system. 13 detections recorded. 3 detections are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS), with compliance required from 2029.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Rhode Island
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
University of Rhode Island (EPA ID: RI1858422) is a community water system in Rhode Island that serves approximately 19,354 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: F (33/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 2 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0064 mg/L | No | 2025-12-31 |
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
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
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 available EPA compliance records for University of Rhode Island (RI1858422) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Rhode Island water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for University of Rhode Island in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.
How many people does University of Rhode Island serve?
University of Rhode Island serves approximately 19,354 people across 2 ZIP codes in Rhode Island.
Where does University of Rhode Island get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Sample Above an EPA MCL Value or State Standard
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS measurements were above the level of the EPA MCL for that compound (April 2024 rule, which takes effect in 2029) or above an applicable state drinking-water standard; a monitoring result above that level is not by itself a violation.
RI enforces a limit of 20 ppt for the combined sum of six PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA and PFDA). The table shows each compound's highest result, which can come from different samples, so it is not compared with that combined limit; the water system's compliance reports give the combined result.
EPA's April 2024 PFAS rule sets MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX); water systems must comply from 2029. Other PFAS compounds have no individual federal MCL. A state standard is shown only where this system's state has its own enforceable PFAS limit. Detection results are EPA UCMR5 samples, not a measurement at your tap.
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.). University of Rhode Island, RI: Serves 19K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ri1858422/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{University of Rhode Island, RI: Serves 19K People}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ri1858422/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
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Check your specific ZIP code
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Contact your utility
University of Rhode Island (EPA ID: RI1858422) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.