Government sampling from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System shows that North Kingstown's groundwater-based public water system, serving over 27,000 people, has documented detections of several PFAS compounds. These detections indicate measured presence but are not violations or direct assessments of safety for individual homes.
Myth: The UCMR5 PFAS Survey Uses the Same Compounds and Levels as Earlier Surveys
The UCMR5 survey conducted between 2023 and 2025 differs from UCMR3 by expanding the list of tested per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and adjusting reporting levels to detect lower amounts. In North Kingstown, twelve rounds of monitoring measured nine PFAS compounds, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, and PFHpA, with multiple reported detections across this range. This broader scope helps provide a more complete regional picture but is still distinct from compliance testing.
Myth: All Detected PFAS Compounds Currently Have Federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
Among the fluorinated compounds detected in the North Kingstown system, only PFOA and PFOS have established federal MCLs effective in 2024. PFOA’s MCL is 4.0 nanograms per litre (ng/L), equivalent to 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt), with several North Kingstown samples measuring just above the reporting level but below or near this limit. PFOS shares the same MCL of 4.0 ng/L, with some detections slightly exceeding reporting thresholds as well. Other detected substances such as PFHxS, PFBS, PFHxA, and PFPeA currently have no federal MCLs, though they are monitored for informational purposes.
Myth: A Small Number of Samples Means the Data Is Definitive for All Homes
The 12 sampling events represent an aggregate of public system monitoring but cannot specify conditions at individual taps. North Kingstown’s water is drawn from groundwater sources, with 10,211 connections recorded as of the data. The limited sample size and variability in water sources mean that individual household water concentrations may differ from system-wide figures. Homeowners interested in precise levels should consider independent testing of their specific water supply to understand their exposure.
Myth: All Water Filters Work Equally Against PFAS
The Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter is a documented water treatment solution designed specifically to reduce the presence of PFAS compounds, including those detected in North Kingstown’s water system. This Fleck System ships ready to configure for residential use and applies a filtration technology proven to address various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances effectively. Using such a filter can supplement existing water equipment that may struggle to manage these persistent 'forever chemicals.'
Myth: Nanograms per Litre and Parts per Trillion Are Complex and Unimportant Measurements
PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS are measured in nanograms per litre (ng/L), which is the same as parts per trillion (ppt). These units express extremely low concentrations—one part per trillion means one unit of substance in one trillion units of water. Reporting to four decimal places, such as 0.0043 µg/L, provides precision needed to track even trace levels of these substances, helping regulators and consumers understand subtle but important differences in water quality.
In summary, government monitoring in North Kingstown shows detected PFAS compounds at low levels with no health-based violations recorded. Understanding which compounds have federal limits, how many samples contribute to the data, and how documented filtration technology like the Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter can help manage these substances enables informed decisions for residential water safety.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-07-17. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for NORTH KINGSTOWN TOWN OF (RI1559517), RI: 120 results across 10 listed contaminants, 24 detections above the reporting level; 5 results above a 2024 federal MCL
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