North Providence Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

138.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In North Providence	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How North Providence compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ North Providence, Rhode Island	≈ 0–59 mg/L	8.4 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Johnston, Rhode Island	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.9 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Providence, Rhode Island	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Cranston, Rhode Island	≈ 0–60 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Lincoln, Rhode Island	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How North Providence compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ North Providence	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes North Providence's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 138.4 mg/LpH: 7.1

North Providence, Rhode Island is served by Providence Water Supply Board, which operates the Scituate Reservoir system. The utility supplies water to North Providence, Providence, Cranston, Johnston, Smithfield, and Warwick from the Scituate Reservoir, the primary source for the region. Water is treated at the utility's treatment facilities before distribution through the municipal system serving Providence County. The reservoir draws from the Pawtuxet River watershed, which collects runoff from the surrounding terrain before treatment and distribution.

The Pawtuxet River watershed drains terrain underlain primarily by Precambrian metamorphic bedrock — gneiss and schist — alongside Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. This geology is dominated by crystalline basement rocks with limited carbonate exposure, producing a naturally soft water supply. Glacial drift and till deposits in the region further contribute to low mineral content, as these materials are not enriched in calcium and magnesium-bearing minerals, keeping hardness consistently low throughout the service area.

At the soft hardness level, North Providence residents experience minimal scaling in appliances and plumbing systems. Water heaters, dishwashers, and kettles accumulate little mineral buildup, and soap lathers readily without requiring extra detergent. A water softener is not necessary for this supply. Providence Water Supply Board publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report detailing contaminant monitoring and treatment processes; residents can also access water quality data through the Rhode Island Department of Health's Drinking Water Viewer portal.

Geology & Source: Pawtuxet River watershed; Precambrian gneiss and schist with Paleozoic sedimentary formations — limited carbonate contact and glacial drift aquifers yield minimal calcium and magnesium; naturally soft supply

Other Rhode Island Water Reports

Johnston

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Providence

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Cranston

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Lincoln

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Providence's water safe to drink?

Yes. North Providence's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in North Providence?

North Providence's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does North Providence compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Providence (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for North Providence 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 — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — 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 — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

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