North Providence Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
138.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 North Providence, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Providence | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -11% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -12% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Providence compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Providence, Rhode Island | 59.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Johnston, Rhode Island | 15 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Providence, Rhode Island | 71.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cranston, Rhode Island | 73.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lincoln, Rhode Island | 68 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Providence compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Providence | 59.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Providence's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County — a major north Providence County suburban community (North Providence is a significant inner-ring Providence suburb — a densely populated, primarily residential community directly adjacent to Providence's north city limits), a diverse Providence County community with a significant Italian-American, Hispanic-American, and Cape Verdean-American population, home of a major commercial corridor on Branch Avenue and Mineral Spring Avenue, and part of the Providence inner-ring suburban fabric — draws its municipal water supply via the Providence Water Supply Board. Water hardness in North Providence measures 59.5 mg/L — classified as very soft.
North Providence's very soft supply reflects the same calcareous-poor Scituate Reservoir watershed as Providence and Cumberland (75 mg/L — Rhode Island's supply is consistently soft across the Providence system). The Scituate Reservoir drains the Precambrian–Paleozoic Rhode Island Avalon Terrane (calcareous-poor Dedham Granodiorite and Esmond Granite). The north Providence distribution zone produces the soft 59.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 59.5 mg/L, North Providence residents enjoy very soft water. 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 watershed (Providence Water Supply Board) via the Providence Water Supply Board — the Providence County north Rhode Island suburban Providence corridor (Precambrian–Paleozoic calcareous-poor Rhode Island Avalon Terrane gneiss and granite — the calcareous-poor north Providence County crystalline basement; Providence Water north distribution to North Providence zone); very soft supply at 59.5 mg/L in Providence County.