The Bristol County Water Authority was formed in 1984 by the Rhode Island legislature to address water supply problems that had persisted in Bristol county for many years. In 1986, the Authority acquired the private Bristol County Water Company and assumed responsibility for managing the region's drinking water system.
 
The BCWA traces its origins to two private 19th century water companies: the Bristol and Warren Water Works, formed in 1882, and the Barrington Water Company, formed in 1887. The East Bay Pipeline was put into operation in 1998, providing Bristol county with a  source of high quality Providence (Scituate Reservoir) water. To increase supply reliability, the BCWA is constructing a pipeline to Pawtucket Water.

The Authority serves the Bristol county population of 50,000 through 17,200 metered connections. The average daily demand is 3,200,000 gallons per day. The Authority offices are located at 450 Child St. Warren, RI.