How does Burlingame's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Burlingame (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Burlingame Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

363.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Burlingame, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Burlingame	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Burlingame compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Burlingame, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Hillsborough, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Millbrae, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
San Mateo, California	46 mg/L	3.2 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
San Bruno, California	215.6 mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Burlingame compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Burlingame	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Burlingame's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 363.4 mg/LpH: 7.9

The City of Burlingame Public Works Department serves over 31,000 residents in Burlingame, San Mateo County, on the San Francisco Peninsula. Water is supplied by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) via the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, drawing from local reservoirs including Crystal Springs, San Andreas, and Pilarcitos. Treatment is carried out at conventional facilities managed by SFPUC, with local distribution handled by the utility at 501 Primrose Road. The supply derives from the Peninsula Watershed, protected forested lands spanning 39 square miles around the San Francisco Bay Area.

The watershed geology features Franciscan Complex melange rocks — chert, greywacke, and serpentinite of Jurassic–Cretaceous age — with contributions from granitic plutons of the Sierra Batholith. This geological setting imparts a moderately mineralised character to the supply: scattered limestone lenses and weathering of mafic minerals release modest amounts of calcium and magnesium, resulting in moderately hard water without the extreme mineral loads associated with deep carbonate aquifers. Total dissolved solids measure low at 144 ppm, indicating good overall purity.

Moderately hard water in Burlingame produces gradual limescale accumulation in water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, incrementally reducing efficiency and increasing energy costs over time. Laundry may feel stiffer, and soap lathering is less effective, prompting higher detergent use. Annual descaling of fixtures and heaters is advisable; a water softener is recommended for households noticing visible spotting on glassware or film on skin after bathing. Water meets all EPA legal standards with no violations; however, some disinfection byproducts — including trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids (dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid) — as well as chromium (total and hexavalent), have been noted above stricter health advocacy guidelines. Treatment by SFPUC involves conventional filtration and chlorination, with pH and lead and copper data aligned with maximum contaminant levels.

Geology & Source: San Francisco Peninsula watersheds; Franciscan Complex melange — chert, greywacke, serpentinite of Jurassic–Cretaceous age — with granitic Sierra Batholith plutons; scattered limestone lenses and mafic mineral weathering contribute moderate calcium

Other California Water Reports

Hillsborough

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Millbrae

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

San Mateo

46 mg/L

🟢 Soft

San Bruno

215.6 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burlingame's water safe to drink?

Yes. Burlingame's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Burlingame?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Burlingame's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Burlingame compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Burlingame (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Burlingame is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.