PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Rhode Island Drinking Water
Rhode Island has a 46.2% PFAS detection rate with 10 systems exceeding the EPA 4 ppt MCL.
Total Systems
1,147
Systems Tested
78
Detection Rate
46.2%
Population Served
1.1M
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Rhode Island: Key Facts
Detection Rate
46.2%
Systems Exceeding MCL
10
Max Level Detected
38 ppt
EPA MCL
4 ppt
EPA Standard
0.000004 mg/L
MCLG (goal): 0 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Rhode Island
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| BETHEL VILLAGE WATER ASSN | 180 | 600 |
| AEGEAN PIZZA | 155 | 589 |
| CHIMERA INC | 133 | 562 |
| NEW ENGLAND FARMS | 75 | 546 |
| PRUDENCE ISLAND WATER DISTRICT | 2K | 506 |
| ROCKLAND OAKS AN0 | 26 | 469 |
| LAWRENCE SUNSET COVE ASSOCIATION | 36 | 449 |
| COOPER HILL OFFICE COMPLEX | 75 | 418 |
Health Effects of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Exposure
Cancer risk
PFOA and PFOS linked to kidney and testicular cancers
Immune disruption
Reduced vaccine response and immune function
Thyroid and hormonal effects
Disrupts thyroid and reproductive hormones
Developmental harm
Fetal and child development impacts
Increased risk of certain cancers, immune system effects, thyroid hormone disruption, high cholesterol, reproductive effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Rhode Island water?
Yes. Rhode Island has a 46.2% PFAS detection rate across 78 tested water systems. 10 systems exceed the EPA 4 ppt MCL for PFOA/PFOS.
How can I check my Rhode Island water for pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)?
Search for your water system using the WaterCheck system lookup, or contact your utility and request a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR is published annually and lists all detected contaminants, their levels, and the EPA MCLs. For private wells, contact a state-certified lab for independent testing.
What is the EPA limit for pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is 0.000004 mg/L. Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) at a Glance
Source
Industrial discharges, firefighting foam (AFFF), non-stick cookware coatings, water-resistant fabrics
How to Filter PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
- +Reverse osmosis is most effective against PFAS (90-95% removal)
- +Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters reduce some PFAS
- +Look for NSF/ANSI 58 or 62 certified systems
- +Standard pitcher filters offer limited protection