Ensuring the safety and sustainability of public water supplies is crucial for protecting public health and maintaining environmental balance.

About Source Water Assessments

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.

For the most recent assessment results, completed after 2020, please contact Lisa Philo.

To obtain assessment results for small public water systems completed between 2003 and 2020, 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.