Cranston Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
190 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
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 Cranston, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cranston | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 12.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cranston compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cranston, Rhode Island | 73.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Providence, Rhode Island | 71.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| East Providence, Rhode Island | 15.5 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| North Providence, Rhode Island | 59.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Johnston, Rhode Island | 15 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cranston compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cranston | 73.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cranston's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cranston, Rhode Island — the state's third-largest city in Providence County, adjacent to Providence and Warwick — draws its municipal water supply from the Scituate Reservoir via the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB), the same regional water authority serving Providence, Warwick, and surrounding communities. The Scituate Reservoir is the dominant water supply source for all of Providence County. Water hardness in Cranston measures 73.5 mg/L — classified as soft, somewhat higher than Warwick (40.5 mg/L) on the same Providence Water system.
Cranston's soft supply from Scituate Reservoir reflects the ancient Precambrian watershed, as described for Warwick — the Scituate Granite Gneiss, Wamsutta Formation rhyolite, and Narragansett Basin Pennsylvanian formations are calcium-poor crystalline terrain. The slightly higher hardness in Cranston (73.5 mg/L) versus Warwick (40.5 mg/L) likely reflects Cranston's closer proximity to the Providence Water distribution hub and different pipe aging in the Cranston distribution zone — or possible local groundwater supplementation from Pawtuxet River Valley alluvial wells in the Cranston area. The Cranston distribution network, serving the densely built southwestern Providence suburbs, may show slightly higher mineral accumulation through the distribution infrastructure versus the Warwick sub-network.
With hardness at 73.5 mg/L, Cranston residents enjoy soft water with minimal to moderate scale challenges. Soap lathers well and faucet aerators develop deposits slowly. Providence Water Supply Board consistently delivers water meeting all Rhode Island DEM and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Scituate Reservoir (North Branch Pawtuxet River) via the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB) serving Cranston — the same Rhode Island Central Uplands Precambrian Scituate Granite Gneiss and Wamsutta Formation rhyolite watershed; soft supply at 73.5 mg/L in Providence County — slightly harder than Warwick (40.5 mg/L) on the same source, possibly from Providence Water distribution zone differences.