What was found in Charlestown's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 6161 µg/L 62% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 6775.5 µg/L — QUONOCHONTAUG EAST BEACH WATER ASSOCIATI · 300 people · 2016 | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 5500 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 6620.5 µg/L — QUONOCHONTAUG EAST BEACH WATER ASSOCIATI · 300 people · 2019 | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 413.95 µg/L 32% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 2540.5 µg/L — NINIGRET REALTY · 109 people · 2019 | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 820 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Highest in the city: CHURCH WOODS · 98 people · 2017 | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 59.8 µg/L 399% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Highest in the city: CASTLE ROCK CONDOMINIUMS · 292 people · 2017 | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 46 µg/L 2.3% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2018 | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2.85 µg/L 2.9% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 31.28 µg/L — QUONOCHONTAUG EAST BEACH WATER ASSOCIATI · 300 people · 2018 | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 25.497 µg/L 85% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Highest in the city: CHURCH WOODS · 98 people · 2018 | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 20 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: CASTLE ROCK CONDOMINIUMS · 292 people · 2018 | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 5.94 pCi/L 40% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L Highest in the city: CHURCH WOODS · 98 people · 2018 | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 4.5 pCi/L 90% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Highest in the city: QUONOCHONTAUG EAST BEACH WATER ASSOCIATI · 300 people · 2018 | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.00060 mg/L 4% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT · 470 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0030 mg/L — BORDER HILL MOBILE HOME PARK · 75 people · 2025 | 8/8 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Charlestown
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL BEACH FIRE DISTRICT | 470 |
| SHADY HARBOR FIRE DISTRICT | 300 |
| QUONOCHONTAUG EAST BEACH WATER ASSOCIATI | 300 |
| CASTLE ROCK CONDOMINIUMS | 292 |
| CHARLESTOWN CEDARS LLC | 150 |
| NINIGRET REALTY | 109 |
| CHURCH WOODS | 98 |
| BORDER HILL MOBILE HOME PARK | 75 |
Frequently asked questions about Charlestown tap water
Is Charlestown tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 12 contaminants in the water serving Charlestown. 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 Charlestown?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Charlestown, Rhode Island to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Charlestown's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Charlestown include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Copper, Fluoride, Lead. The full list, with the level at the main supplier 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.