South Burlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
116.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.15
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 South Burlington, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In South Burlington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -8% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How South Burlington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Burlington, Vermont | 55.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Burlington, Vermont | 85 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Colchester, Vermont | 19.5 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Plattsburgh, New York | 68 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Rutland, Vermont | 30.5 mg/L | 2.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How South Burlington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Burlington | 55.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes South Burlington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
South Burlington, Vermont, in Chittenden County — a Chittenden County city adjacent to Burlington (the largest city in Vermont), in the Lake Champlain Valley west of the Green Mountains — receives its municipal water from the South Burlington Water Division or through the Champlain Water District, drawing from Lake Champlain at the Champlain Water District treatment facility in the Burlington metro.
The very soft 55.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 116.3 mg/L reflect Lake Champlain's watershed character — a mix of insoluble Green Mountain crystalline rock and the low-relief Champlain Lowland (Ordovician Chazy Group limestone and Trenton-Black River carbonates). The Green Mountains to the east (Precambrian Grenville gneiss, Cambrian Dunham Dolomite — low carbonate content), the Adirondacks to the west (crystalline silicate — entirely insoluble), and the Champlain Valley lowland carbonate zone combine to produce the relatively soft supply characteristic of Lake Champlain.
At 55.5 mg/L, South Burlington's water is very soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers abundantly, and appliances maintain excellent efficiency. Annual descaling is sufficient. The PFAS level of 2.9 ppt is very good — reflecting the protected Lake Champlain watershed and the limited industrial PFAS sources in the Chittenden County supply area. Vermont's strict environmental regulations and the absence of major military installations near Lake Champlain contribute to South Burlington's clean supply.
Geology & Source: South Burlington in Chittenden County draws from the Champlain Water District on Lake Champlain (Chittenden County) — Lake Champlain drains the Green Mountains (Precambrian Grenville gneiss, Cambrian Dunham Dolomite) and Adirondacks (crystalline silicate) — Vermont Champlain watershed crystalline silicate drainage produces very soft water at 55.5 mg/L with TDS 116 mg/L in this Chittenden County Vermont city.