Burlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
268.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 Burlington, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Burlington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -40% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Burlington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlington, Kentucky | 136 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Florence, Kentucky | 176 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Erlanger, Kentucky | 121 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Bridgetown, Ohio | 254 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Independence, Kentucky | 70.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Burlington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlington | 136 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Burlington home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Burlington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Burlington, Kentucky, in Boone County — the Boone County seat adjacent to Florence and Union in the Greater Cincinnati metro of northern Kentucky — receives its municipal water from the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), drawing from the Ohio River at the Richard Miller Water Treatment Plant (Boone County, north Kentucky side).
The moderately hard 136 mg/L hardness and TDS of 268.7 mg/L reflect the Greater Cincinnati Ohio River supply's moderate Appalachian carbonate character — consistent with Florence KY (137 mg/L) and other northern Kentucky GCWW communities. The Ohio River at Boone County drains the Appalachian Plateau — Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (sandstone-shale), Mississippian St. Genevieve Limestone (calcareous — the primary Ohio River hardness source), and Devonian Ohio Shale (minor calcareous). The Mississippian limestone input from the Appalachian Plateau drainage produces the moderately hard northern Kentucky supply.
At 136 mg/L, Burlington's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Boone County northern Kentucky industrial corridor (Cincinnati metro area manufacturing) and the Ohio River PFAS background contribute to Burlington's readings.
Geology & Source: Burlington in Boone County draws from the Greater Cincinnati Water Works on the Ohio River (Boone County, north Kentucky) — the Ohio drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation, Mississippian St. Genevieve Limestone — calcareous) — Kentucky Boone County Ohio River Appalachian carbonate watershed produces moderately hard water at 136 mg/L with TDS 268.7 mg/L in this Boone County Kentucky city.