Beginning in 2003, the RI Department of Health and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension completed assessments of all major community water supplies as part of the Rhode Island Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). These assessments focus on the drinking water supply watersheds and groundwater recharge areas where “source water,” from streams, lakes, and interconnected underground aquifers, recharges water supply wells and replenishes water supply reservoirs. In many cases, the water service area is not the same as the source water area from where the water comes.

This site has: 1.) assessments for major community supplies (2003) and 2.) updated assessments for community and non-community supplies where the wellhead protection area (WHPA) boundaries were revised. Although dated, the 2003 assessments are still useful to describe the watershed or WHPA and for baseline information.

To obtain assessment results for small public water systems not included here, visit the RI Department of Health website or call 401-222-5960 and ask for the public well program.

For assessments of non-community public water systems, contact the RI Department of Health  at 401-222-5960 and ask for the public well program.

Assessments also can be browsed as full reports, summary fact sheets, or maps.