Kent County, Rhode Island — public water systems

How does Kent County compare with other Rhode Island counties?

Kent County has the 4th-most active public water systems among the 5 counties listed for active Rhode Island systems in EPA records; among the 5 with 3 or more systems, the median has 47. Its systems report 186,201 people served in total, the 3rd-largest county figure in the state and 16% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,433 people, about 77% above the Rhode Island average of 2,508. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Kent County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Kent County's active systems draw on groundwater (36, 86%), purchased surface water (3, 7.1%) and purchased groundwater (3, 7.1%). Overall, 93% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 7.1% on surface water, compared with 94% and 6.2% across Rhode Island. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Kent County Water Authority, draws primarily on purchased surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Kent County?

Kent County's active systems break down as 9 community systems (21%), 11 non-transient non-community systems (26%) and 22 transient non-community systems (52%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (64%), local government (26%), state government (7.1%) and public/private partnership (2.4%).