Newport County, Rhode Island — public water systems

How does Newport County compare with other Rhode Island counties?

Newport County has the 3rd-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 94,859 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 8.1% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 2,018 people, about 20% below 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 Newport County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Newport County's active systems draw on groundwater (38, 81%), purchased surface water (6, 13%) and surface water (3, 6.4%). Overall, 81% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 19% 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, Newport-City of, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Newport County?

Newport County's active systems break down as 13 community systems (28%), 5 non-transient non-community systems (11%) and 29 transient non-community systems (62%). 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 (81%), local government (15%) and federal government (4.3%).