Tiverton has secured $1 million in federal assistance to begin installing an emergency public water line for homes with PFAS-contaminated private wells, Rhode Island's congressional delegation announced September 29.
The funding goes to the North Tiverton Fire District through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emergency Community Water Assistance program. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Gabe Amo backed the request in a September 8 letter.
The delegation's announcement said more than 100 tested private wells had exceeded Rhode Island's 20-parts-per-trillion standard, with some readings above 4,000 parts per trillion. Testing was continuing.
Those results describe the sampled wells; they do not establish that every private well in Tiverton is contaminated. The public-water project is intended to extend reliable service to affected homeowners.
What's Up Newp's October 1 coverage said state environmental officials began sampling in the Crandall Road area in May because of its proximity to Fire Station 3. The outlet reported that historic use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam was being considered as a possible source.
The state had not confirmed the station as the source, according to that report. A suspected origin should therefore remain distinct from an established finding.
The federal award begins an infrastructure response while testing and outreach continue. Reed described it as one step in a larger process, with further public information needed so residents know what assistance and next steps are available.
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