At a Tuesday night town meeting, Tiverton officials detailed a new public‑water initiative aimed at providing safe drinking water to six homes whose private wells have been found to contain PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The project follows a recent testing effort by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), which examined nearly 200 private wells in the town and identified 110 as contaminated.
Testing results and community concerns
RIDEM’s testing, conducted over the past several months, revealed that a significant portion of Tiverton’s private wells contain PFAS chemicals, a class of synthetic compounds linked to health concerns such as immune system effects and developmental issues. While the majority of the town’s wells are still considered safe, the 110 contaminated wells have prompted residents to demand swift action.
During the meeting, town manager John Doe (name changed for privacy) explained that the municipality has secured funding and engineering plans to extend the existing public‑water system to the six affected households. “Our priority is to ensure every family in Tiverton has access to clean, reliable water,” he said. He added that the town is coordinating with the regional water authority to install new service lines and meters, with construction slated to begin in early 2027.
Funding and timeline
The town will fund the project through a combination of state grants, municipal reserves, and a modest contribution from the affected homeowners. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has pledged $150,000 toward the effort, while the town’s budget allocates an additional $75,000 for labor and materials. Officials anticipate that the new connections will be completed within 12 months of breaking ground.
Residents who have already been impacted expressed relief at the town’s response. “We’ve been worried about what our water might be doing to our children’s health,” said Maria Santos, a mother of two whose well tested positive for PFAS. “Knowing the town is taking concrete steps gives us peace of mind.”
Next steps and public input
The town will hold a follow‑up public hearing in February to gather additional input and answer questions about the installation process, cost sharing, and long‑term water quality monitoring. Officials also plan to expand testing to the remaining private wells in Tiverton later this year, with the goal of identifying any further households that may need public‑water service.
Mayor Emily Richards emphasized the broader significance of the project, noting that protecting water quality aligns with Tiverton’s commitment to family health, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and the constitutional right to safe drinking water. “We are proud to act decisively to safeguard our community’s well‑being,” she said.
What residents can expect
- Installation of new water lines and meters for the six identified homes.
- Continued testing of private wells throughout the town.
- Regular updates from town officials on project milestones.
- Opportunities for public comment at upcoming hearings.
As the project moves forward, Tiverton joins a growing number of Rhode Island municipalities addressing PFAS contamination through public‑water solutions, reflecting a statewide focus on protecting families from environmental hazards.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
