Lincoln Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
168.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Lincoln, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lincoln | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lincoln compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lincoln, Rhode Island | 68 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cumberland, Rhode Island | 75 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Central Falls, Rhode Island | 65.5 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pawtucket, Rhode Island | 64.5 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| North Providence, Rhode Island | 59.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Lincoln compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lincoln | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lincoln's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lincoln, Rhode Island, in Providence County — a northern Rhode Island town adjacent to Pawtucket and Central Falls in the Blackstone Valley corridor, known for the historic Hearthside House mansion, the Diamond Hill Reservoir, and the Lincoln Woods State Park — receives its municipal water from Rhode Island Water or the Providence Water Supply Board, which draws from the Scituate Reservoir (the largest drinking water reservoir in New England by watershed area) or local Providence County reservoir impoundments in the northern Rhode Island supply network.
The moderately soft 68 mg/L hardness and TDS of 168.9 mg/L reflect the Providence County Avalonian crystalline terrain's water character — somewhat harder than the purest RI granite supplies (Smithfield 26.5 mg/L, TDS 45.5), reflecting Lincoln's position in a more developed, potentially more mineral-influenced distribution zone. The Scituate Reservoir watershed drains the Proterozoic Avalonian terrane — Proterozoic gneiss and granite of the Providence County upland and the Pennsylvanian Narragansett Basin metasedimentary rocks — all low-carbonate crystalline terrain. The slightly harder and higher-TDS reading compared to Smithfield may reflect distribution system contributions in Lincoln's more urbanized corridor or Providence Water Board's treatment chemistry adjustments.
At 68 mg/L, Lincoln's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling of heating appliances is adequate. The PFAS level of 9.3 ppt is strikingly high for a Rhode Island community drawing from Avalonian watershed reservoirs — significantly higher than Smithfield (5.0 ppt) in the same county — suggesting industrial PFAS sources in the Lincoln corridor, possibly the Blackstone Valley industrial heritage (textiles, chemicals, metals manufacturing along the Blackstone River), the northern Providence County suburban development corridor, and Lincoln's proximity to the former Lincoln Pawtucket industrial zone.
Geology & Source: Lincoln in Providence County draws from Rhode Island Water or the Providence Water system on the Scituate Reservoir or local Providence County reservoirs — the northern Rhode Island watershed drains the Proterozoic and Paleozoic Avalonian crystalline terrain (Narragansett Basin schist, granite) of the Providence County upland — Avalonian crystalline watershed drainage produces moderately soft water at 68 mg/L with TDS 169 mg/L in this Providence County suburb.