Providence County, Rhode Island — public water systems

How does Providence County compare with other Rhode Island counties?

Providence County has the 2nd-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 643,368 people served in total, the largest county figure in the state and 55% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 3,535 people, about 41% 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 Providence County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Providence County's active systems draw on groundwater (168, 92%), purchased surface water (10, 5.5%) and surface water (4, 2.2%). Overall, 92% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 7.7% 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, Providence-City of, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Providence County?

Providence County's active systems break down as 27 community systems (15%), 33 non-transient non-community systems (18%) and 122 transient non-community systems (67%). 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 (76%), local government (16%), state government (3.8%) and public/private partnership (2.7%).