Burlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
102.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Burlington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Burlington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlington, North Carolina | 66.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Graham, North Carolina | 65.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mebane, North Carolina | 66.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Reidsville, North Carolina | 112.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Greensboro, North Carolina | 92 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Burlington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burlington | 66.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Burlington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Burlington, North Carolina, the Alamance County seat — a historic central North Carolina textile and manufacturing city (Cone Mills, Burlington Industries), now a growing Piedmont Triad residential and industrial community, home of Elon University — draws its municipal water supply from the Haw River (Stoney Creek Reservoir and Burlington Lake) via the City of Burlington Water Resources Department. Water hardness in Burlington measures 66.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Burlington's moderate softness reflects the Haw River watershed's North Carolina Piedmont geology. The Haw River above Burlington drains: the North Carolina Piedmont crystalline belt — the Carolina Slate Belt (Neoproterozoic–Cambrian metavolcanic and metasedimentary arc terrain with minimal calcareous content — the Chapel Hill Terrane and Albemarle sub-belt are predominantly siliceous metavolcanic rocks); the Chapel Hill Granite and Granville Pluton (Paleozoic granitic intrusions — calcium-poor); and the Triassic Deep River Basin (Cumnock Formation calcareous shale — minor calcareous contribution from the Triassic basin eastern margin). The predominantly siliceous North Carolina Piedmont crystalline terrain produces the moderately soft 66.5 mg/L at Burlington.
With hardness at 66.5 mg/L, Burlington residents enjoy moderately soft water with minimal scale challenges. City of Burlington Water Resources Department consistently delivers water meeting all North Carolina DHHS and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Haw River (Stoney Creek Reservoir and Burlington Lake) via the City of Burlington Water Resources Department — the Alamance County Haw River watershed draining the North Carolina Piedmont crystalline belt (Carolina Slate Belt metavolcanic and calcareous-poor Chapel Hill Terrane); moderately soft supply at 66.5 mg/L in Alamance County.