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North Smithfield Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · 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

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 Smithfield, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn North SmithfieldSoft Water CityEfficiency 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

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
North Smithfield, Rhode Island≈ 0–59 mg/L8.4 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Smithfield, Rhode Island≈ 0–60 mg/L0 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Woonsocket, Rhode Island≈ 0–60 mg/L41.2 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Cumberland, Rhode Island≈ 0–60 mg/L109.1 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Lincoln, Rhode Island≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How North Smithfield compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
North Smithfield≈ 0–59 mg/L🟢 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes North Smithfield's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 139.7 mg/LpH: 6.8

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?
Yes. North Smithfield'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 Smithfield?
North Smithfield'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 Smithfield compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Smithfield (≈ 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 Smithfield 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

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.

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.