What was found in Portsmouth's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 3320 µg/L 33% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chlorite | 970 µg/L 97% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 530 µg/L 5.3% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 445 µg/L 34% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 151 µg/L 189% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 92.6 µg/L 617% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 48.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 40.2 µg/L 67% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 30 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 25.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 25 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 16.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 15.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 14 µg/L 0.7% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 9.87 pCi/L 66% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 8.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 5.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 4.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 3 µg/L 30% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 3 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.79 pCi/L 36% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Simazine | 0.3000 µg/L 7.5% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Benzo(A)Pyrene | 0.2000 µg/L 100% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Atrazine | 0.1000 µg/L 3.3% of the EPA limit 3 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lasso | 0.1000 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Pfpea | 0.0061 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0059 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0051 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0048 mg/L 32% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Portsmouth
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| NEWPORT-CITY OF | 42,155 |
| PORTSMOUTH WATER & FIRE DISTRICT | 17,090 |
| PRUDENCE ISLAND WATER DISTRICT | 1,500 |
Frequently asked questions about Portsmouth tap water
Is Portsmouth tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Portsmouth. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Portsmouth?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Portsmouth, Rhode Island to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Portsmouth's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Portsmouth include Nitrate, Chlorite, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.