Burbank Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
618.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.67
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 Burbank, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Burbank | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -64% |
| Water Heater | 5.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Burbank compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burbank, Illinois | 250 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Bridgeview, Illinois | 220.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Oak Lawn, Illinois | 273 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Chicago Ridge, Illinois | 173 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hickory Hills, Illinois | 211.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Burbank compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burbank | 250 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Burbank's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Burbank, Illinois, in Cook County — a major south Chicago suburban community (Burbank is a significant Cook County city — a south suburban Chicago community in the southwest Cook County cluster adjacent to Oak Lawn and Chicago's Clearing neighborhood; Burbank is a classic post-WWII Chicago area working-class suburb, known for its strong Lithuanian-American heritage (Burbank has one of the most significant Lithuanian-American communities in the Chicago metro area — Lithuanian-American churches, organizations, and cultural institutions have been prominent in Burbank since the post-WWII era when Lithuanian displaced persons settled in the southwest Chicago suburbs)), a diverse Cook County community with a primarily Polish-American, Lithuanian-American, and working-class suburban population, adjacent to Oak Lawn and Bridgeview in the southwest Cook County corridor, home of a significant southwest Cook County retail commercial corridor, and a community with a strong Central European ethnic identity — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Burbank Water Division. Water hardness in Burbank measures 250 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Burbank's very hard supply reflects the south Cook County Lake Michigan distribution zone's very limited softening. The Burbank Water Division distributes Lake Michigan supply through the southwest Cook County Burbank zone with very limited softening, producing the very hard 250 mg/L.
At 250 mg/L, Burbank residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. City of Burbank Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the City of Burbank Water Division (Chicago suburban) — the Cook County south Cook County suburban Burbank corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the calcareous south Cook County dolomite platform with Lake Michigan supply; very limited softening); very hard supply at 250 mg/L in Cook County.