Wilson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
β Below action level
TDS
467 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.46
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026
0β60
mg/L
Soft
61β120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121β180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Wilson, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wilson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wilson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| βΆ Wilson, North Carolina | 174 mg/L | 0 ppt | π Hard | reservoir |
| Rocky Mount, North Carolina | 34.1 mg/L | 68.6 ppt | π’ Soft | reservoir |
| Goldsboro, North Carolina | β 0β60 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | π’ Soft | groundwater |
| Tarboro, North Carolina | β 120β179 mg/L | 18.3 ppt | π Hard | reservoir |
| Smithfield, North Carolina | β 0β60 mg/L | 371.1 ppt | π’ Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Wilson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| βΆ Wilson | 174 mg/L | π Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | π Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | π’ None |
Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Wilson home
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What Makes Wilson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Wilson utility (WILSON, CITY OF) serves approximately 50,001 residents in Wilson County, North Carolina. Water is sourced from surface water treated at the Wiggins Mill Water Treatment Plant (mailing address: PO Box 10, Wiggins Mill WTP, Wilson, NC 27894; phone: 252-399-2376). The plant employs conventional filtration and chlorine disinfection to process raw surface water before distribution across the service area.
The supply originates from surface waters in the coastal plain watersheds near Wilson, likely tributaries of the Neuse River Basin. Underlying Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary formations β sands and clays from the Black Creek and Peedee groups β influence water chemistry by contributing moderate dissolved ions as water moves through the low-relief terrain. The minimal presence of limestone prevents extreme hardness; instead, the sandy aquifers and riverine inputs produce a balanced, moderately mineralised profile shaped by seasonal precipitation patterns.
In a moderately hard supply, scale buildup can develop in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and leaving visible deposits on plumbing fixtures. Soap usage increases and glassware may show spotting. Regular vinegar descaling, drain screens, and a water softener β particularly where the supply leans harder β are recommended to extend appliance life and improve laundry results. The utility reports no EPA violations, with all contaminants meeting health guidelines and a quality score of 100/100 in recent assessments. Treatment relies on conventional filtration and chlorination; independent data notes potential concerns with TTHMs and chromium-6 above some health guidelines, though within EPA MCLs. No specific PFAS issues appear in available reports.
Geology & Source: North Carolina coastal plain β Cretaceous and Tertiary unconsolidated sands, clays, and gravels of the Black Creek and Peedee Formations; limited limestone prevents extreme hardness; riverine and sandy aquifer inputs yield a moderately mineralised
Other North Carolina Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Wilson compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Wilson is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city β the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS β Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS β Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023β2025) β sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age β all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.