Hardness
Moderately Hard
62.4 PPM · 3.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Charlestown, RI 02813
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Washington County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Central Beach Fire District
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Washington County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.003 mg/L
20% of action level
Utility match
8 systems
Serves 470 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
62.4 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
62.4
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
3.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 62.4 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
231
Nearest site
8.8 mi
Observation range
May 11, 2016–Dec 2, 2025
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: RI-WEW 585 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 02813 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Charlestown median
62 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 62.4–62.4 PPM
Rhode Island median
43 PPM
19 PPM higher33 indexed ZIP readings · Range 40.5–64.1 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.003 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.6655 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Numerical coverage
3 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.003
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.6655
EPA limit 1.3
Nitrate
Measured in MG/L
Local 14
EPA limit 10
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 89
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | RI1647512 | Unaddressed | Aug 13, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | RI2674928 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 2, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | RI1647511 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | RI1000035 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Feb 27, 2025 |
| Xylenes, Total | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Trichloroethylene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| CHLOROBENZENE | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Benzene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Toluene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Styrene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Combined Uranium | RI1647512 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Charlestown ZIP 02813 using 62.4 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Nitrate, Lead and Copper Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
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Frequently asked
Water questions for Charlestown
Is tap water safe in Charlestown?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 62.4 PPM, or 3.6 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.