Water Hardness in Burlington, NC

Q: Do I need a water softener in Burlington, NC?

At a citywide weighted average of 96 PPM, Burlington has relatively soft water. A water softener is generally not necessary.

Q: How many water systems serve Burlington, NC?

Burlington, North Carolina has 7 matched water systems across 1 zip code.

North Carolina · 1 zip codes · 7 matched water systems

96 PPM

5.6 GPG

Slightly Hard

0Soft60120180300+

High Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Dataset updated March 9, 20267 matched water systems in the city rollupIndividual systems and ZIPs can differ. Methodology

Source context

How this city reading is built

This city reading is a weighted rollup across 7 matched water systems and 1 ZIP code. Citywide readings are useful for comparison, but individual utility zones and ZIPs can differ.

Source basis

5 USGS-backed sources

7 matched systems total for this city; USGS monitoring is used where treated-water reports are unavailable.

Water source profile

Primarily surface water

Surface-water hardness can shift with reservoirs, runoff, season, and treatment. This profile is weighted by known population served across matched systems.

Data recency

March 9, 2026

Dataset rebuilt March 9, 2026; individual utility reporting years can vary.

Hardness is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Use it for scale, appliance, and softener decisions; check your utility report or test your tap before sizing treatment equipment. See how we calculate local readings.

Water Systems in Burlington

These systems are matched to Burlington, NC. Citywide readings are useful for comparison, but the system serving a specific address may differ from the city average.

7 water systems

PWSID is the public water system identifier. Data Source shows whether the hardness value comes from a treated-water report, USGS monitoring, or a local estimate; source year is shown when available.

Water System	Source	Hardness	Pop. Served	Data Source
Burlington, City Of NC0201010	surface water	101 PPM Slightly Hard	61,365	Estimated — County Avg
Mebane, City Of NC0201018	surface water	22 PPM Soft	20,212	High Confidence — USGS Monitoring
Graham, City Of NC0201015	surface water	26 PPM Soft	18,354	High Confidence — USGS Monitoring
Elon, Town Of NC0201025	surface water	274 PPM Very Hard	11,350	High Confidence — USGS Monitoring
Green Level, Town Of NC0201030	surface water	274 PPM Very Hard	2,450	High Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Burlington, City Of

NC0201010

Slightly Hard

101 PPMsurface water61,365 servedEstimated — County Avg

Mebane, City Of

NC0201018

Soft

22 PPMsurface water20,212 servedHigh Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Graham, City Of

NC0201015

Soft

26 PPMsurface water18,354 servedHigh Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Elon, Town Of

NC0201025

Very Hard

274 PPMsurface water11,350 servedHigh Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Green Level, Town Of

NC0201030

Very Hard

274 PPMsurface water2,450 servedHigh Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Showing the first 5 systems. Expand to review all matched systems.

Zip Codes in Burlington, NC

2721796

What This Means For You

Recommendations are based on the displayed hardness reading. Confirm your tap reading before sizing or buying treatment equipment.

Slightly Hard Water

Your water is slightly hard. You may notice minor spotting on dishes or a slight film on faucets. A water softener is optional but can improve water quality.

Recommended Products

Water Hardness Test Kit

Our PickVarify (150 Strips)Also GreatJNW Direct (150 Strips)

Salt-Free Water Conditioner

Our PickSpringWell Salt-Free Cartridge

Learn more: Do I Need a Water Softener? | Salt-Based vs Salt-Free | How to Test Your Water

Know your water hardness?

If you've tested your water or have your utility's CCR report, share your reading to help us improve accuracy for Burlington, NC.

Submit Your Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the water in Burlington, NC?

The citywide weighted average water hardness in Burlington, NC is 96 PPM (5.6 GPG), classified as slightly hard. This is based on 7 matched water systems.

Do I need a water softener in Burlington, NC?

At 96 PPM, the citywide average is relatively soft. A water softener is generally not necessary.

Is hard water in Burlington, NC safe to drink?

Water hardness itself is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals, but you should check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for contaminant and compliance information.

How many water systems serve Burlington, NC?

Burlington, North Carolina is served by 7 matched water systems across 1 zip code.