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Wilson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

174mg/L
Hard

10.2 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

467 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.46

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

174mg/L as CaCO₃Hard

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Wilson, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn WilsonSoft Water CityEfficiency 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

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά Wilson, North Carolina174 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Rocky Mount, North Carolina34.1 mg/L68.6 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Goldsboro, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L8.4 ppt🟒 Softgroundwater
Tarboro, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L18.3 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Smithfield, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L371.1 ppt🟒 Softreservoir

National Benchmark

How Wilson compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά Wilson174 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes Wilson's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 467 mg/LpH: 8.2

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

Is Wilson's water safe to drink?
Yes. Wilson's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 174 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Wilson?
At 174 mg/L (Hard), Wilson's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 23%.
How does Wilson compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Wilson (174 mg/L) is 23 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Measured

PFAS β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) 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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.