Barrington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
113.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.14
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Barrington, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Barrington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -7% |
| Washing Machine | 11.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -3% |
| Water Heater | 13.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -10% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Barrington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Barrington, Rhode Island | 52 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Seekonk, Massachusetts | 107 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bristol, Rhode Island | 59 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| East Providence, Rhode Island | 15.5 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Warwick, Rhode Island | 40.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Barrington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Barrington | 52 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Barrington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Barrington, Rhode Island, in Bristol County — a Bristol County town adjacent to Warren and East Providence on Narragansett Bay in eastern Rhode Island — receives its municipal water from the Barrington Water Division or the Providence Water Supply Board, drawing from local reservoir sources (Bristol County) or the Scituate Reservoir (Providence County — the primary Providence Water supply) through the regional distribution system.
The moderately soft 52 mg/L hardness and TDS of 113.6 mg/L reflect the Rhode Island crystalline watershed supply, consistent with the southern New England insoluble basement character (similar to North Attleborough Center, Bristol County: 123.5 mg/L — slightly harder for a different supply zone). The Barrington watershed drains the Southern New England Upland — Proterozoic Esmond Granite (insoluble), Carboniferous Narragansett Basin coal-bearing slate and conglomerate (insoluble), and Quaternary Rhode Island glacial outwash (insoluble). The predominantly insoluble crystalline and glacial geology produces the moderately soft Rhode Island supply.
At 52 mg/L, Barrington's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Rhode Island southeast Bristol County industrial corridor (Barrington's position between the Providence industrial metro and the Narragansett Bay chemical corridor), and the southeastern New England PFAS background contribute to Barrington's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Barrington in Bristol County draws from the Barrington Water Division on local reservoirs (Bristol County, eastern Rhode Island) — the Barrington watershed drains the Southern New England Upland (Proterozoic Esmond Granite, Carboniferous Narragansett Basin slate — insoluble crystalline) — Rhode Island Bristol County Southern New England crystalline watershed produces moderately soft water at 52 mg/L with TDS 113.6 mg/L in this Bristol County Rhode Island town.