Communities in This Region
North Kingstown, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Charlestown and Westerly
The Pawcatuck Aquifer
The Pawcatuck Basin is an EPA-designated Sole Source Aquifer area. USGS work describes productive sand-and-gravel aquifers along the river and tributaries.
Soft Can Still Be Corrosive
Historical USGS descriptions of portions of the Pawcatuck groundwater system characterize water as soft and slightly acidic. That makes pH/corrosivity worth evaluating rather than focusing only on hardness.
Coastal Saltwater Influence
Along the coast and salt ponds, rising chloride, sodium or conductivity and salty taste can be reasons to investigate possible saltwater influence. Do not assume an ordinary softener is the answer.
Local Public Systems
North Kingstown and Westerly use groundwater wells, while South Kingstown includes private wells and several public suppliers. The first question is always where a particular property's water comes from.