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RIDEM Groundwater Classification &
Wellhead Protection Area Maps
Groundwater Classifications and StandardsThe DEM "Groundwater Quality Rules" classify the state's groundwater into four classes and establish groundwater quality standards for each class. The classifications provide a system for establishing design standards and setting priorities in the state's regulatory and enforcement programs that address groundwater quality. Groundwater classified GAA and GA is to be protected to maintain drinking water quality, and underlies approximately 21% and 70% of the state, respectively. Groundwater classified GB (approximately 9%) and GC (<1%) are known or presumed unsuitable for drinking water.
Wellhead Protection Areas
A wellhead protection area (WHPA) is the portion of an aquifer through which groundwater moves to a well. Under the RI DEM Wellhead Protection Program approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1990, DEM is responsible for delineating a WHPA for each of the public wells in the state. These WHPAs are used in the same way as the groundwater classifications to establish design standards and to set priorities in DEM's regulatory and enforcement programs that address groundwater quality. The public water suppliers and the water quality provided by the suppliers are regulated by the RI Department of Health.
The WHPA mapping includes a Public Water Supplier Identification (PWSID) label. The PWSID can be used to cross reference detailed Well Data for each well and supplier. The data sheets are organized using the same quadrangle reference names as the maps.
Downloadable maps and well data sheets are stored in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). You'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view them.
To Download: Right-Click on a link and select "Save Target As".
| Maps June 2010 | ||
| Quadrangle | View | Download |
| Statewide Overview | View | Download |
| Quadrangle Index | View | Download |
| Ashaway | View | Download |
| Attleboro | View | Download |
| Blackstone | View | Download |
| Block Island | View | Download |
| Bristol | View | Download |
| Carolina | View | Download |
| Chepachet | View | Download |
| Clayville | View | Download |
| Coventry | View | Download |
| Crompton | View | Download |
| East Greenwich | View | Download |
| East Killingly | View | Download |
| East Providence | View | Download |
| Fall River | View | Download |
| Franklin | View | Download |
| Georgiaville | View | Download |
| Hope Valley | View | Download |
| Kingston | View | Download |
| Narragansett | View | Download |
| Newport | View | Download |
| North Scituate | View | Download |
| Oneco | View | Download |
| Oxford | View | Download |
| Pawtucket | View | Download |
| Providence | View | Download |
| Prudence | View | Download |
| Quonachontaug | View | Download |
| Sakonnet Point | View | Download |
| Slocum | View | Download |
| Thompson | View | Download |
| Tiverton | View | Download |
| Uxbridge | View | Download |
| Voluntown | View | Download |
| Watch Hill | View | Download |
| Westport | View | Download |
| Wickford | View | Download |