Burlingame Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.7 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
363.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.35
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 Burlingame, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Burlingame | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -38% |
| Washing Machine | 8.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Burlingame compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlingame, California | 131.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Millbrae, California | 126.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| San Mateo, California | 40.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| San Bruno, California | 162 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| South San Francisco, California | 52 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Burlingame compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlingame | 131.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Burlingame's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Burlingame, California, in San Mateo County — a major San Francisco Bay Area mid-Peninsula community (Burlingame is a significant San Mateo County city — one of the most affluent and charming mid-Peninsula communities, known for its beautiful tree-lined streets (Burlingame Avenue has some of the most spectacular ornamental tree canopy in any Bay Area downtown corridor — the European elm and cherry trees in bloom are a Bay Area attraction), its proximity to San Francisco International Airport (SFO is in the Burlingame–Millbrae corridor, making Burlingame a major airline and travel industry employment center), and its highly sought-after residential character), home of a significant technology and biomedical research employment cluster (the Bayside corridor between Burlingame and San Mateo has significant biotech campuses), a diverse San Mateo County community with a primarily affluent Chinese-American, Filipino-American, and professional population, and one of the Peninsula's most desirable communities — draws its municipal water supply via California Water Service. Water hardness in Burlingame measures 131.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Burlingame's moderate hardness — higher than expected for Hetch Hetchy supply — reflects the CalWater distribution system's characteristics and possible supply blending. The SFPUC Hetch Hetchy supply from Sierra Nevada granite (calcareous-poor) is blended in distribution, producing the moderate 131.5 mg/L.
At 131.5 mg/L, Burlingame residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning is recommended. California Water Service consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Imported supply from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Tuolumne River watershed) via the California Water Service (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission supply) — the San Mateo County mid-Peninsula Burlingame corridor (Sierra Nevada calcareous-poor granite — the extremely calcareous-poor Sierra Nevada Hetch Hetchy granite watershed; SFPUC effective treatment with CalWater distribution); moderately hard supply at 131.5 mg/L in San Mateo County.