The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved $1 million for Tiverton to begin installing an emergency public water line serving homes where private wells have tested above the state’s PFAS limit, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation announced Thursday.
The money comes through the USDA’s Emergency Community Water Assistance program and goes to the North Tiverton Fire District. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Gabe Amo wrote to the agency on Sept. 8 supporting the request.
More than 100 private wells tested so far have exceeded Rhode Island’s standard of 20 parts per trillion, with some above 4,000 parts per trillion. Testing is continuing.
“We have helped secure federal funding for North Tiverton Fire District to install an emergency public water line,” Whitehouse said. “This is an important step forward and I am committed to supporting the town in its efforts to restore safe drinking water and peace of mind to residents.”
Reed called it a positive step in a multi-step process and said continued public outreach is needed so residents understand what assistance is available.
“As Tiverton continues to recover, I will continue working with federal, state, and local leaders to restore safe, clean drinking water,” Amo said.
PFAS are man-made compounds used in nonstick coatings, firefighting foam, packaging and water-repellent textiles. They break down slowly, persist in soil and water, and have been linked to health effects including reproductive and developmental harm and weakened immune response.
The Department of Environmental Management began sampling in the Crandall Road area in May because of its proximity to Tiverton Fire Station 3, and has said the potential source is historic use of firefighting foam containing PFAS. The state has not confirmed the station as the source.
Town updates are at tiverton.ri.gov.
