Westerly Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
89.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
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 Westerly, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Westerly | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -5% |
| Washing Machine | 12 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Westerly compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Westerly, Rhode Island | 44 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Ledyard, Connecticut | 22 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| New London, Connecticut | 83.5 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Norwich, Connecticut | 98.5 mg/L | 11.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| South Kingstown, Rhode Island | 70.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Westerly compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Westerly | 44 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Westerly's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Westerly, Rhode Island, in Washington County — a Washington County city adjacent to Stonington, CT and Pawcatuck on the Pawcatuck River at the Rhode Island-Connecticut border, a coastal resort community on the Atlantic Coast — receives its municipal water from the Westerly Water Division, drawing from Chapman Pond or local Pawcatuck River watershed reservoirs in Washington County.
The extremely soft 44 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 89.4 mg/L reflect the southern Rhode Island granitic supply. The Westerly area drains the Southern Rhode Island Upland — Precambrian Westerly Granite (insoluble pink granite — the famous Westerly granite quarried worldwide), Pennsylvanian Narragansett Basin Rhode Island Formation (insoluble quartz argillite — no carbonate), and Pleistocene glacial outwash sand (pure silica). The entirely insoluble crystalline and glacial geology produces the near-distilled soft water.
At 44 mg/L, Westerly's water is extremely soft — no scale ever forms, soap lathers maximally, and appliances achieve maximum lifespan. No descaling is needed. The PFAS level of 6.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Naval Station Newport (Newport County, RI — AFFF in the Narragansett Bay watershed), Quonset Point Air National Guard Base (AFFF), and the Rhode Island coastal military PFAS complex contribute to Westerly's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Westerly in Washington County draws from the Westerly Water Division on Chapman Pond reservoir (Watch Hill area, Washington County) — the Pawcatuck River drains the Southern Rhode Island Upland (Precambrian Westerly Granite, Pennsylvanian Narragansett Basin argillite) — Rhode Island Washington County Precambrian granitic crystalline watershed produces extremely soft water at 44 mg/L with TDS 89.4 mg/L in this Washington County Rhode Island city.