The Rhode Island State Health Laboratories is certified to test drinking water. Testing helps make sure your water is safe to drink. Water that is not appropriately treated or from a safe source can make you sick. Issues related to taste, color, odor, or staining may also be signs of a possible water quality problem.
Mission
To assure the quality of drinking water supplies by testing for chemical and microbiological contaminants.
What we do
- Identify and quantify chemical and microbiological contaminants in public drinking water supplies as mandated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and state regulations.
- Test water samples submitted by private well owners (and homeowners who receive water from a public water system, upon request), using the same methodology to ensure safe drinking water for individual homes.
- Participate in the national Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) and the Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA), a network of laboratories qualified to provide water testing support to the EPA, states, and municipalities in response to incidents of contamination that impair public water supplies.
What you should do
Know who should test their drinking water
- Private well owners: You are responsible for testing your water to make sure it is safe to drink. This includes routine recommended testing and required tests if you are buying or selling a home or installing a new well. Learn more about testing your well water.
- Public water customers: If you get your tap water from a public water system, it is rigorously and frequently tested to make sure it meets the high standards required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. You may still wish to test your water if you are considering a home water treatment unit. It is a good idea to understand what is in your water and what you may want to remove before you make any decisions.
Order testing
Always use a certified water testing laboratory to test your drinking water.
To order testing through the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories:
Step 1: Complete the submission form for drinking water testing. Select the tests you would like to order.
For private well owners, see the Private Wells Program’s Testing Your Well Water web page for information on which tests you should do, how often to test, and areas where special tests are recommended. If you have specific questions, you can also reach out to the Private Wells Program (401-222-6867; DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov) or the University of Rhode Island (URI)’s Water Quality Program.
Step 2: Pick up water sample bottles, collection instructions, and the submission form at the State Health Laboratories during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
- You can call the Lab at 401-222-5600 before you come, so the bottles are ready when you get there.
- Go to the Central Services area, on the right side of the Chapin Building, at 50 Orms St. in Providence (next to the loading dock). Look for the blue sign marked “Lab Deliveries”. The door is open to the public during regular business hours.
Step 3: Collect and prepare your water sample(s).
- Follow the collection instructions given to you when you pick up your bottles at the lab. See the PFAS test kit instructions for guidance on collecting a sample for PFAS testing.
- Double check to make sure all the bottle labels have been marked with your full name, and time and date of collection.
- Make sure to bring your samples to the lab the same day you collect, as most of the tests have short holding times before they cannot be analyzed. Refrigerate your samples after collection, if you are not immediately coming to the lab to drop off.
- When you are ready to bring your samples, transport them to the lab in an insulated cooler. Don't forget to include ice packs in your cooler to keep the samples cold during transport.
Step 4: Prepare your payment.
- Payment is due when you drop off your sample. See the lab order form for testing fees.
- The State Health Laboratories accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards. We do not accept cash payments.
- Debit and credit card payments have a processing fee of $1.00 and 2% of the lab testing fee, which will be applied to your card.
- Checks and money orders should be made out to “The General Treasurer, State of RI.”
Step 5: Bring your water sample(s), submission form, and payment to the State Health Laboratories Central Services area.
- The Lab accepts samples between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- The Lab is closed on all State holidays.
Review your results
If you use the State Health Laboratories, you will receive your results by email or mail within 10-14 business days.
For more information on how to read and understand your results, see the Understanding Your Lab Report worksheet or Reading Your Water Analysis Report guide. You can also call URI’s Water Quality Program to discuss treatment options and what you should do next.
Accomplishments
- Conducted 29,598 public water tests in 2024 for contaminants regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act and RIDOH.
- Received EPA certification for PFAS (forever chemicals) testing in drinking water by EPA Method 533.
- Maintain US EPA Safe Drinking Water laboratory certification to analyze regulated chemical and microbiological contaminants in drinking water.
- Maintain capacity to identify harmful blue-green algae and measure the concentration of cyanotoxins released when harmful algal blooms occur in water supply reservoirs.
- Conducted 3,922 tests for contamination in private well water.