Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Emerging Contaminants for Small and Disadvantaged Communities (ECSDC) Grant Program

The USEPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program provides grants to public drinking water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.  

PFAS are added to nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof products and can also be found in some types of firefighting foam. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t easily break down in the environment.  

DEM’s Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management, in partnership with the RI Department of Health (RIDOH), is using this funding to test for PFAS in more than 800 private drinking water wells in 26 communities identified in DEM’s Statewide PFAS Source Investigation Report.

For wells with PFAS levels above RIDOH’s 20 parts per trillion (ppt) standard, the program provides treatment systems at no cost to the homeowner. Treatment options include activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems. DEM, working with EA Engineering, is installing systems for the more than 50 eligible homes in 2025. After installation, homeowners will receive an operation and maintenance (O&M) manual and will be responsible for the future system maintenance and operating costs.

Private Well Testing in Coventry

PFAS were recently detected above the State Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) in a public water system supply well on Provident Place. DEM initially offered free private well testing for PFAS to all homes within 0.25 miles of the contaminated well. Results confirmed elevated PFAS levels in some private wells, and testing was expanded to include the areas outlined below. Under this program, DEM is able to install treatment systems in homes with results higher than 20 parts per trillion (ppt) at no cost to them.

If you haven't already been in contact with DEM to schedule water testing and have a private well and live in one of these areas listed below, contact DEM to have your water tested at dem.ecsdc@dem.ri.gov
  • Provident Place
  • Rock Hill Road
  • Windy Hill Lane
  • Hill Farm Road north of Rock Hill Road
  • Phillips Hill Road north of Whaley Hollow Road
  • Arabian Drive, Shippee Plat Road, Raccoon Run Road, or Shippee Cove Road
Additional Resources

Private Well Testing in Tiverton

DEM recently detected PFAS levels above the maximum limit in a private well sample near Crandall Road in Tiverton. Because of the proximity of a potential source, DEM offered free well testing to homeowners within 0.25 miles of either the fire station or the initial detection. Results confirmed elevated PFAS levels in some wells; DEM is providing free filtration systems to homeowners with results higher than 20 ppt.  

If you haven't already been in contact with DEM to schedule water testing and have a private well and live in one of these areas listed below, contact DEM to have your water tested at dem.ecsdc@dem.ri.gov
  • Crandall Road and associated side roads between Bulgarmarsh Road and Bucks Way 
  • Bulgarmarsh Road and associated side roads between Presidential Drive and the Massachusetts border. 
  • Stafford Road and associated side roads between Bulgarmarsh Road and Glendale Road
Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions 

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – known as “forever chemicals” – are a   group of manmade chemicals used in a variety of consumer products and industries throughout the world.t PFS are contained in some firefighting foams and have also been used to make carpets, clothing, fabric for furniture, paper packaging for food, and cookware. Over time, these chemicals can break down and pollute the environment, including drinking water. When people are exposed to PFAS, these chemicals can build up in the body and reach levels that harm health. Here’s what you should know about PFAS in drinking water: Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS Contamination of Water | Department of Health 

Effective September 18, 2024, an amendment to the existing Public Drinking Water Regulations set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for six per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Rhode Island.  

The six PFAS chemicals regulated in Rhode Island are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). 

The regulations require public water systems in Rhode Island to regularly sample for PFAS. Public water systems that exceeded the interim standard of 20 ppt under the RI PFAS Act entered into a Consent Agreement with RIDOH within 180 days and are required to take action to lower PFAS levels. 

Rhode Island has set a maximum contaminant level of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water.  

Yes. Under the Rhode Island PFAS in Drinking Water, Groundwater, and Surface Waters Act (RI PFAS Act) public water systems must test for PFAS. Any that exceed the standard are required to take action to reduce PFAS levels. 

DEM’s 2023 Statewide PFAS Source Investigation Report identifies target testing areas near potential sources of PFAS contamination, including Superfund sites, current and former Department of Defense sites, landfills and dumps, wastewater treatment facilities including discharges and biosolids, industrial sites including textile mills, and fire stations and fire training areas.  

The report also outlines a plan for further investigation of PFAS sources, which include building state capacity for sampling private wells around known or suspected sites with PFAS contamination.    

This report was required by the PFAS in Drinking Water, Groundwater and Surface Waters Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32), enacted into law in 2022. 

If your water is supplied by a public water system, you can ask your public water system or visit health.ri.gov/data/pfas to see the results of the initial sampling that was required for all public water systems by July 1, 2023. If you have a private well, RIDOH's Private Well Program can provide additional guidance on testing well water for PFAS. 

If you get your drinking water from a private well, having your water tested regularly helps ensure it’s safe to drink. RIDOH’s Private Well Program can help you get the information and resources you need to help keep your drinking water safe. RIDOH's Private Well Program.

Additional Resources