Is Warwick, RI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Warwick tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 6.26 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Warwick Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Warwick Compares
Warwick's water is 72% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 77% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Rhode Island, Warwick has the hardest water out of 7 cities - 44% above the state average of 27 PPM. Among cities (50k-100k), Warwick ranks #216 of 258 for hardness.
What Warwick's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 39 PPM - Low Concern
Warwick's water is slightly hard at 39 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Warwick is softer than 77% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Warwick has PFOA at 6.26 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Warwick's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 49.9 ppb (62% of the legal limit, but 333x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 17.8 ppb (30% of the legal limit, but 178x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 39 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 56 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 33.77 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 6.26 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.29 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Warwick
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 6.26 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Warwick residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Warwick
With PFAS at 33.77 ppt in Warwick's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request Providence Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Warwick's Water Supply
Water Utility: Providence Water
Water Source: Scituate Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 88,779
Hardness: 39 PPM (2.3 grains per gallon)
Warwick's drinking water comes from surface sources — Scituate Reservoir. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 89,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Providence Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Providence Water in Warwick, RI, including ZIP codes:
02816, 02817, 02818, 02822, 02823, 02827, 02832, 02833, 02852, 02873, 02886, 02887, 02888, 02889, 02893, 06331, 06332, 06335, 06338, 06339, 06350, 06351, 06354, 06359, 06360, 06365, 06373, 06374, 06377, 06380, 06383, 06384, 06387
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Warwick to Other Rhode Island Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Warwick Water
Is Warwick tap water safe to drink?
Where does Warwick's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Warwick?
How do I remove PFAS from Warwick tap water?
What water filter is best for Warwick?
Is Warwick water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Warwick's water?
Why does Warwick water taste like chlorine?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Warwick Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 39 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Warwick's water data.