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municipalities mapped
Every Rhode Island city and town appears in the September 2022 DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. municipal-program summary.
Source: RI DEM, September 20228
inspection or maintenance rows
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. states a local inspection or maintenance requirement in these municipal summaries.
Source: RI DEM, September 20227
phaseout, sewer, or replacement signals
These rows contain explicit cesspool phaseout, sewer tie-in, or repair-and-replace language.
Source: RI DEM, September 2022What the data says
The useful story is municipal oversight — not invented cesspool counts.
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs.'s 2022 summary gives a clear town-level picture of municipal OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. programs: approved plans, loan-program participation, local inspection or maintenance rules, web inventories, and towns with explicit cesspool phaseout or sewer tie-in signals. It does not publish a verified count of remaining cesspools by town.
So this page does the honest thing: it publishes the sourced municipal-program table, explains what it means for homeowners, and identifies the missing public-records layer needed before anyone can claim exact remaining-cesspool counts.
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Approved municipal OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community.s
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. summary count of towns with approved Onsite Wastewater Management Plans.
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CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participants
Towns DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says participate in the Community Septic System Loan Program.
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Primarily sewered/no local OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. program
Cities/towns DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. lists as primarily served by sewers without local onsite wastewater program efforts.
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High-signal town program rows
Towns where DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. mentions inspection/maintenance rules, web inventory/tracking, phaseout, or sewer-tie-in signals.
Read this first
Important caveats
- ! This is not a count of remaining cesspools by town.
- ! The source PDF is a September 2022 DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. municipal-program summary, not a live permit database.
- ! Use state, town, and qualified professional sources before making property decisions.
Cost context, with the date attached
RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. published a $10,000–$15,000 conventional-replacement estimate in 2015.
RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records.'s September 2015 Cesspool Act FAQ says the average cost to replace a cesspool with a conventional septic system was approximately $10,000–$15,000. That is useful historical scale—not a current bid, a guaranteed range, or an estimate for advanced treatment, sewer connection, difficult access, coastal constraints, ledge, groundwater, design, permitting, or restoration.
What the current state page says
RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records.'s current phaseout page explains the legal triggers and deadlines but does not publish a current statewide contractor-price schedule. Property owners still need a property-specific scope and current written quotes.
Open the current phaseout pageWhy one number can mislead
A conventional replacement, advanced OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property., and sewer connection are different projects. Records, system location, site evaluation, approved design, old-system closure, excavation, utilities, and restoration determine what belongs in the quote.
Compare Rhode Island cost pathsSource for the dollar range: Rhode Island DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs., Frequently Asked Questions: Cesspools and the Rhode Island Cesspool Act, September 2015. The date stays attached because a decade-old agency estimate should not be presented as a 2026 market quote.
Phaseout signals
Towns where DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. mentions cesspool phaseout, sewer tie-in, or replacement pressure
These are not counts. They are source-backed signals that a homeowner, buyer, agent, inspector, or reporter should investigate before assuming a septic issue is routine.
Charlestown
town-wide phaseout
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. describes Charlestown as having an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., robust municipal program, dedicated staff, inspection ordinance, web-based inventory/tracking, town-wide cesspool phase-out, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation.
Homeowner angle: High-signal town: check town requirements, inspection timing, inventory records, and cesspool phaseout status early.
Coventry
repair-or-replace focus
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says Coventry has an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., participates in CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems., focuses on homeowner awareness, septic inventory, voluntary inspections, and financial assistance to repair or replace failed systems and cesspools.
Homeowner angle: Ask about voluntary inspection, failed-system repair, cesspool replacement, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. assistance.
New Shoreham
town-wide phaseout
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says New Shoreham has an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., municipal program, inspection/maintenance ordinance, ongoing town-wide cesspool phase-out, zoning treatment standards, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation.
Homeowner angle: High-signal town: inspection, maintenance, cesspool phaseout, and location/soil treatment standards may all matter.
Portsmouth
priority/area phaseout
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says Portsmouth has an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., robust program, dedicated manager, periodic inspection ordinance, web-based inventory/tracking, town-wide cesspool phaseout effort, priority neighborhood phaseouts, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation.
Homeowner angle: High-signal town: ask about inspection schedule, inventory records, cesspool/substandard-system phaseout, and neighborhood-specific rules.
South Kingstown
town-wide phaseout
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says South Kingstown has an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., inspection ordinance, nearly complete town-wide cesspool phaseout with deadlines passed, 5-year upgrade after discovery, 12-month upgrade on sale, web-based inventory/tracking, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation.
Homeowner angle: Highest-signal town: check cesspool status, sale-triggered history, inspection records, and upgrade deadlines early.
Tiverton
point-of-sale/sewer tie-in
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says Tiverton has an approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., management ordinance, CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation, inspection/maintenance requirements, access riser/filter requirements on repair/upgrade, earlier point-of-sale cesspool requirement superseded by state law, Stafford Pond watershed cesspool removal deadline by 2005, and program reorganization as of 2021.
Homeowner angle: Ask about watershed overlay, repair/upgrade requirements, inspection/maintenance rules, and current town versus wastewater district responsibilities.
Warwick
point-of-sale/sewer tie-in
DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. says much of Warwick is sewered but many onsite systems remain; the city is implementing mandatory sewer tie-in where lots with sewer access must abandon onsite systems and connect upon sale.
Homeowner angle: At sale, confirm whether municipal sewer access triggers abandonment/tie-in obligations.
Town-by-town table
Rhode Island municipal OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. program table
Source: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Water Resources, Summary of Rhode Island Municipal Onsite Wastewater Programs (September 2022). Extracted and summarized by FindSepticPro on 2026-07-03.
Every row has its own link. Select a town name or its mark to open a shareable link to that row.
| Town / city | Approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community. | CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. | Inspection / maintenance rule | Inventory | Cesspool / sewer signal | Homeowner next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Start with property records and local sewer/septic context before assuming an onsite system is active. |
| Bristol | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | If the property is in an unsewered area, ask about voluntary inspection and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. repair/upgrade assistance. |
| Burrillville | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use state OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. records and provider/inspector verification; do not expect a town program to be the first stop. |
| Central Falls | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Verify sewer connection and property records if an onsite system question appears in a transaction. |
| Charlestown | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | town-wide phaseout | High-signal town: check town requirements, inspection timing, inventory records, and cesspool phaseout status early. |
| Coventry | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | repair-or-replace focus | Ask about voluntary inspection, failed-system repair, cesspool replacement, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. assistance. |
| Cranston | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer versus onsite status before hiring; use state records for older OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. questions. |
| Cumberland | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Rely on state record search and qualified professionals for property-specific OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. questions. |
| East Greenwich | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | First determine whether the property is east or west of the sewered area and whether onsite records exist. |
| East Providence | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer connection; older onsite records may still matter in property history. |
| Exeter | Yes | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about voluntary inspection guidance, but do not assume CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. repair loans are available through town participation. |
| Foster | Yes | No | Not stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | none stated | Ask whether inventory records exist and whether voluntary inspection history is available. |
| Glocester | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about voluntary inspection and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. repair/upgrade options. |
| Hopkinton | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use town/state records plus provider inspection before repair or sale decisions. |
| Jamestown | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | none stated | High-signal town: inspection interval, groundwater overlay, inventory records, and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. can all matter. |
| Johnston | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about voluntary inspection guidance and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. support for repairs/upgrades. |
| Lincoln | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Verify sewer status and old permit records where relevant. |
| Little Compton | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use state records and qualified inspection/provider guidance. |
| Middletown | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use state records and property-specific inspection, especially for older/coastal properties. |
| Narragansett | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask for pumping record history and whether the 4-year pumping requirement applies to the property. |
| New Shoreham | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Not stated | town-wide phaseout | High-signal town: inspection, maintenance, cesspool phaseout, and location/soil treatment standards may all matter. |
| Newport | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer connection and use state records for unusual onsite history. |
| North Kingstown | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about inspection/maintenance interval and Water Department-administered CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. loan support. |
| North Providence | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Verify sewer connection and old records if an onsite issue surfaces. |
| North Smithfield | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use state records and professional inspection/provider guidance. |
| Pawtucket | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer status before assuming an onsite system needs service. |
| Portsmouth | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | priority/area phaseout | High-signal town: ask about inspection schedule, inventory records, cesspool/substandard-system phaseout, and neighborhood-specific rules. |
| Providence | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Most properties are sewer-context first, but old OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. records may matter in property history. |
| Richmond | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about voluntary inspection and loan assistance for repair/upgrade needs. |
| Scituate | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | none stated | Ask whether inventory records and voluntary inspection history are available. |
| Smithfield | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Ask about voluntary inspections and CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. repair/upgrade assistance. |
| South Kingstown | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | town-wide phaseout | Highest-signal town: check cesspool status, sale-triggered history, inspection records, and upgrade deadlines early. |
| Tiverton | Yes | Yes | Yes / stated | Not stated | point-of-sale/sewer tie-in | Ask about watershed overlay, repair/upgrade requirements, inspection/maintenance rules, and current town versus wastewater district responsibilities. |
| Warren | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | none stated | For Touisset Neck/unsewered areas, ask about pumpout support, advanced treatment O&M reimbursement, and inventory records. |
| Warwick | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | point-of-sale/sewer tie-in | At sale, confirm whether municipal sewer access triggers abandonment/tie-in obligations. |
| West Greenwich | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Use state records and qualified inspection/provider guidance. |
| West Warwick | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer connection and property record history. |
| Westerly | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Web inventory/tracking stated | none stated | Determine whether the property is in the unsewered wastewater management district and ask about voluntary inspection records. |
| Woonsocket | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | none stated | Confirm sewer connection and old records if an onsite system question appears. |
Methodology
How this table was built
- Downloaded DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs.'s Summary of Rhode Island Municipal Onsite Wastewater Programs.
- Extracted the four-page PDF text locally and converted each municipality into structured fields.
- Kept source language conservative: approved OWMPOnsite Wastewater Management PlanA municipal plan for maintaining, inspecting, and managing septic systems within a community., CSSLPCommunity Septic System Loan ProgramA Rhode Island financing program that can help eligible homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems. participation, inspection/maintenance requirement, inventory/tracking, and phaseout/sewer tie-in signals.
- Did not infer remaining cesspool counts, permit counts, or property-level status where the PDF did not provide them.
What is still missing
The next data layer is a records request, not guesswork.
To publish a stronger headline like “how many RI homes are still on cesspools, town by town,” FindSepticPro needs verified counts from DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. or towns: remaining cesspools, known cesspool upgrades, OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. permits, inspection records, or phaseout compliance fields by municipality.
Until then, this page is the honest public data story: where municipal oversight signals exist and what homeowners should check next.
Press angles
Why local outlets might care
EcoRI News
Environmental accountability angle: which towns have inspection ordinances, inventories, and cesspool phaseout signals versus no active local program.
The Providence Journal
Consumer/homeowner angle: what RI buyers should check before a septic inspection or point-of-sale transaction.
RI Monthly
Evergreen homeowner guide: how coastal, island, and rural towns handle septic oversight differently.