Rhode Island is home to 12 sites on the EPA’s National Priorities List. The EPA’s National Priorities List currently includes 12 active NPL sites in Rhode Island, with 13 total entries when proposed and deleted sites are included. The most hazardous site has an HRS score of 70.71 out of a maximum of 100. 1 site has been cleaned up and removed from the list. The interactive map below shows all NPL sites in Rhode Island – click any marker for site details, HRS score, and a link to the EPA’s site profile.
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Active NPL
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Status
Superfund Statistics for Rhode Island
Category
Count
Active NPL Sites
12
Deleted (cleaned up)
1
Total NPL Entries
13
Highest HRS Score
70.71
Average HRS Score (active)
45
EPA Region
Region 1
Highest-Risk Superfund Sites in Rhode Island
The table below lists the active NPL sites in Rhode Island sorted by Hazard Ranking System (HRS) score. The HRS is a 0-100 scale used by the EPA to assess the potential threat to human health and the environment. Sites scoring 28.50 or above qualify for NPL listing.
Rhode Island has made measurable progress on Superfund cleanup: 1 site has been fully remediated and removed from the National Priorities List. The remaining 12 active sites are at various stages of investigation and cleanup. EPA cleanup timelines vary widely depending on contamination type, site complexity, and the availability of responsible parties to fund remediation.
About the Superfund Program in EPA Region 1
The Superfund program, formally known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), gives the EPA authority to clean up contaminated sites that pose risks to public health or the environment. Sites are assessed using the Hazard Ranking System (HRS) – a score of 28.50 or above triggers NPL listing and formal cleanup proceedings. Rhode Island falls under EPA Region 1, which coordinates Superfund investigations, cleanups, and community engagement for the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Superfund sites are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has 12 active sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Including sites that have been cleaned up and removed, the total NPL count for Rhode Island is 13.
What is the most contaminated Superfund site in Rhode Island?
Based on HRS score, the highest-risk active Superfund site in Rhode Island is Centredale Manor Restoration Project near North Providence, with an HRS score of 70.71. The HRS score reflects the site’s potential to harm human health or the environment through groundwater, surface water, soil, or air pathways.
How does the EPA decide which sites go on the Superfund list?
The EPA uses the Hazard Ranking System to score sites based on the likelihood of a release, the characteristics of the waste, and the people or environments that could be affected. Sites scoring 28.50 or higher are eligible for the National Priorities List. Once listed, sites become eligible for federally funded cleanup or enforcement against responsible parties under CERCLA.
I'm Daniel O'Donohue, the voice and creator behind The MapScaping Podcast ( A podcast for the geospatial community ). With a professional background as a geospatial specialist, I've spent years harnessing the power of spatial to unravel the complexities of our world, one layer at a time.
