South Kingstown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
177.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 South Kingstown, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In South Kingstown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How South Kingstown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Kingstown, Rhode Island | 70.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Narragansett, Rhode Island | 55 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| North Kingstown, Rhode Island | 59.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Newport, Rhode Island | 57.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| East Greenwich, Rhode Island | 79 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How South Kingstown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Kingstown | 70.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes South Kingstown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in Washington County — a major south Rhode Island coastal university community (South Kingstown is one of the largest towns in Rhode Island by area — a significant Washington County town encompassing several villages including Wakefield, Kingston, Peace Dale, and Matunuck; South Kingstown is home of the University of Rhode Island (URI) — the flagship public research university of Rhode Island, a major land-grant and sea-grant institution particularly known for its pharmacy, engineering, oceanography, and marine affairs programs), a diverse Washington County community with a significant URI student and faculty, professional, and coastal resort population, adjacent to Narragansett Bay and the Block Island Sound Atlantic shoreline, home of the South Kingstown–Narragansett area's significant vacation and resort communities (Matunuck Beach, South Kingstown Town Beach), and one of Rhode Island's most diverse coastal communities — draws its municipal water supply from the South Kingstown glacial aquifer via the South Kingstown Water Department. Water hardness in South Kingstown measures 70.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
South Kingstown's moderate softness reflects the south Rhode Island glacial plain aquifer's calcareous-poor character. The South Kingstown aquifer draws from Pleistocene calcareous-poor glacial outwash (sandy glacial sediments of the south Rhode Island coastal plain). South Kingstown Water Department produces the moderately soft 70.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 70.5 mg/L, South Kingstown residents enjoy moderately soft water. South Kingstown Water Department consistently delivers water meeting all Rhode Island DEM and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the South Kingstown aquifer (Glacial outwash Plain) via the South Kingstown Water Department — the Washington County south Rhode Island Narragansett Bay coastal corridor (Pleistocene calcareous-poor Rhode Island glacial outwash — the calcareous-poor south Rhode Island coastal plain glacial aquifer; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 70.5 mg/L in Washington County.