Pawtucket Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
155.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.17
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 Pawtucket, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pawtucket | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 13.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -9% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pawtucket compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pawtucket, Rhode Island | 64.5 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Central Falls, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Valley Falls, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Providence, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| East Providence, Rhode Island | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Pawtucket compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pawtucket | 64.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pawtucket's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Pawtucket Water Supply Board (PWSB) serves approximately 100,000 residents in the Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls, as well as the Valley Falls section of Cumberland, Rhode Island. The supply consists of both surface water and groundwater drawn from the Abbott Run watershed, a tributary of the Blackstone River spanning Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Water is treated at a modern facility operational since March 19, 2008, following decommissioning of the 1938 plant in Cumberland. PWSB owns and operates the systems, monitoring daily for turbidity, pH, color, odor, fluoride, and bacteriological contamination.
The Abbott Run watershed lies across Rhode Island and Massachusetts borders, with PWSB owning approximately 10% of the catchment area. Glacial history and marine sediments characterize the regional geology, featuring sedimentary deposits and pockets of carbonate rocks in lowland areas. These formations contribute to the water's chemistry, yielding a moderately mineralised supply shaped by soluble minerals from local soils and bedrock, without reliance on deep limestone aquifers. Rhode Island's glaciated landscape and coastal marine sediments define the overall water character.
With a moderately mineralised profile, scale buildup may occur in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers over time, potentially reducing efficiency. Regular maintenance such as periodic flushing of hot water systems and deliming helps mitigate deposits in pipes and fixtures. A water softener may be considered for households noticing soap scum or spotting on glassware to ease cleaning and extend appliance life. Third-party water quality testing indicates exceedances of health guidelines for contaminants including arsenic and nitrate, with 5 to 13 substances reported above EPA MCLGs; cold water is recommended for drinking to minimize lead risks.
Geology & Source: Abbott Run watershed, Blackstone River tributary — glacial till and sedimentary deposits across Rhode Island and Massachusetts; pockets of carbonate and soluble rocks in lowland areas yield moderately mineralised supply
Other Rhode Island Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pawtucket's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Pawtucket?
How does Pawtucket compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Pawtucket 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.