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

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

Burley Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Burley	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 Burley compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Burley, Idaho	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Twin Falls, Idaho	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Jerome, Idaho	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Chubbuck, Idaho	332.1 mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Pocatello, Idaho	350 mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Burley compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Burley	≈ 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 Burley's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 417 mg/LpH: 7.9

The Burley Water Department draws its entire water supply from groundwater sources within the Snake River Plain aquifer system, serving the Mini-Cassia region, which includes Burley, Heyburn, Rupert, Oakley, and Declo. The utility, located at 1559 Albion Avenue, focuses its treatment efforts on ensuring microbial safety and removing regulated contaminants, as documented in its 2021 Consumer Confidence Report. Residents seeking further details on protecting the water source from microbial threats like Cryptosporidium can contact the Safe Water Drinking Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The aquifer beneath Burley is primarily composed of Quaternary alluvial deposits and basaltic lava flows, resting atop Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary formations. This geology is characteristic of southern Idaho's volcanic plateau. The groundwater here naturally contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, derived from the weathering of basalt and carbonate-bearing rocks, resulting in the naturally hard water found throughout the Mini-Cassia area.

Homeowners in Burley will likely notice the effects of this hard water on their appliances and plumbing. Scale deposits can form inside water heaters and dishwashers, potentially shortening their lifespan and reducing efficiency. You might also find that soap and detergents don't lather as well as you'd expect. Installing a water softener is often recommended to combat these issues, helping to preserve your fixtures and appliances and improve cleaning performance.

Geology & Source: Snake River Plain aquifer; basaltic and carbonate-rich minerals produce hard water

Other Idaho Water Reports

Twin Falls

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Jerome

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Chubbuck

332.1 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Pocatello

350 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

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 Burley's water safe to drink?

Yes. Burley'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 Burley?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Burley'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 Burley compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Burley (≈ 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 Burley 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.