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

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

Burlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Burlington	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 Burlington compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Burlington, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Florence, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Erlanger, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Mack, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	9.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Bridgetown, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Burlington compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 268.7 mg/LpH: 7.7

Boone County Water District provides drinking water to more than 50,000 residents in northern Kentucky's Burlington suburbs, near Cincinnati. The utility draws primarily from the Ohio River watershed, supplementing its supply with groundwater from local aquifers. Water treatment takes place at the main facility on Burlington Pike, where processes like coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection are employed to meet federal standards. Residents can reach Harry Anness with inquiries.

The region's water originates from the Ohio River watershed, flowing through Ordovician limestones such as the Eden Shale and Maysville Formation prevalent in Boone County. This area's karst topography facilitates aquifer recharge, and the dissolution of carbonate rocks within these permeable layers imbues the mixed surface-groundwater supply with a naturally hard character. The ancient rock layers contribute a significant mineral load, influencing the water's chemistry beyond simple river flow dilution, as noted by Northern Kentucky Water District.

This hard water can lead to scale buildup in pipes, fixtures, and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Homeowners often notice reduced lathering from soaps, stiffer laundry, and spots on glassware. Regular maintenance, such as descaling showerheads with vinegar and flushing water heaters, can help mitigate these effects. Installing a whole-house water softener is frequently recommended to prolong appliance life and improve cleaning effectiveness.

Geology & Source: Ordovician limestone and dolomite of the Borden Group and Cynthiana Formation; karst aquifers contribute dissolved calcium and magnesium, resulting in hard water.

Other Kentucky Water Reports

Florence

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Erlanger

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mack

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Bridgetown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 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 Burlington's water safe to drink?

Yes. Burlington'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 Burlington?

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

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