Office of Drinking Water Quality

Public Water Programs

(Within HEALTH, and elsewhere in State Government)

Programs for the public:

Bottled Water - Regulation and monitoring of bottled water available in Rhode Island stores.

Consumer Confidence Reports- All Community water suppliers must inform their consumers of the quality of their water.

Public Pools and Spas - Making sure public swimming pools are operating properly.

Source Assessment and Protection - It's easier and cheaper to protect the water than it is to clean it!

Wellhead Protection Program (exit HEALTH) Located at the Department of Environmental Management, closely linked with the Source Assessment Program. 

Programs for Suppliers:

Capacity Development- managerial, technical and financial capacity of water suppliers

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund- Making money available for suppliers to maintain and improve their systems.

Lead and Copper Rule - The federal government has made some revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. 

Monitoring - How we verify the safety of public water supplies at the tap.

Control of Lead & Copper for Small and Medium-Size Community Systems and Non-Transient Not-Community Systems

New Source Approval - Before a new water source can be used to serve the public.

Operator Certification- Making sure that water system operators know their stuff.

Sanitary Survey Program - At least once every three to five years, every water system gets a visit.

Water Resources Board (exit HEALTH) is charged with managing the proper development, utilization and conservation of water resources in Rhode Island.