North Smithfield Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
139.7 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 Smithfield, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Smithfield | 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 Smithfield compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Smithfield, Rhode Island | 60 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Smithfield, Rhode Island | 26.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Woonsocket, Rhode Island | 48 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Cumberland, Rhode Island | 75 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lincoln, Rhode Island | 68 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Smithfield compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Smithfield | 60 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Smithfield's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Smithfield, Rhode Island, in Providence County — a Providence County town adjacent to Woonsocket and Smithfield in northwest Rhode Island — receives its water from Providence Water Supply Board or a local reservoir system, drawing from Scituate Reservoir through the northwest Rhode Island distribution.
The soft 60 mg/L hardness and TDS of 139.7 mg/L reflect the Providence County Scituate Reservoir supply's soft character — the Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss and Carboniferous Rhode Island Formation are both highly insoluble crystalline formations contributing negligible dissolved minerals to the pristine Scituate watershed (compare Woonsocket RI: 58/134 in Providence County comparable; Smithfield RI: 61/144 in Providence County comparable; North Smithfield consistent soft from the same Providence County Scituate Reservoir Precambrian insoluble supply). The Scituate watershed — Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Carboniferous Rhode Island Formation (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary glacial outwash (slightly calcareous — minimal TDS).
At 60 mg/L with TDS 140, North Smithfield's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.4 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is recommended — the Providence County Rhode Island industrial and Woonsocket area textile legacy contributes to North Smithfield's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: North Smithfield in Providence County draws from the Providence Water on Scituate Reservoir (Providence County, northwest Rhode Island) — the Scituate watershed drains Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble) and Carboniferous Rhode Island Formation (insoluble) — Rhode Island Providence County Scituate Reservoir Precambrian insoluble supply produces soft water at 60 mg/L with TDS 139.7 mg/L.