North Smithfield Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~0–59 mg/L
Softestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
6.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
139.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.08
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Smithfield | 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 Smithfield compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Smithfield, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–59 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Smithfield, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Woonsocket, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 41.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Cumberland, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 109.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lincoln, Rhode Island | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Smithfield compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Smithfield | ≈ 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 Smithfield's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The North Smithfield Water Department, part of the town's public works operations, supplies tap water to North Smithfield residents. While Providence Water serves nearby areas from the Scituate Reservoir, it does not extend to North Smithfield. Specific details regarding the exact reservoirs, rivers, aquifers, or treatment plant names for North Smithfield's supply are not available in the retrieved sources. The utility's operations are monitored under the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure water quality for the community.
Specific watershed names, rock formations, or aquifers directly tied to North Smithfield's water sources were not identified in the available data. The general geology of northern Rhode Island includes glacial deposits and bedrock from Paleozoic eras, but precise information linking these to the local utility's supply remains unspecified. Without specific hardness data, a description of the water's mineralization based on geological influences cannot be provided. Community water suppliers in Rhode Island conduct rigorous testing, but the geological impact on water chemistry for this particular supply is unknown.
Without a determined hardness level, specific effects on appliances or pipes, like scale buildup, cannot be detailed. Users in North Smithfield should monitor fixtures for any signs of mineral deposits and consider local water testing if issues arise. Softener recommendations would depend on individual testing results, as no general category is available. North Smithfield's tap water generally meets EPA standards, though there have been occasional violations. Recent testing in areas like Slatersville indicated chlorine-related issues due to water travel times. Residents are encouraged to request annual Consumer Confidence Reports from the utility for comprehensive treatment and testing details.
Geology & Source: Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss and Carboniferous Rhode Island Formation; insoluble rocks produce soft water
Other Rhode Island Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Smithfield's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in North Smithfield?
How does North Smithfield compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for North Smithfield is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.