Water hardness in Burlington (North Carolina)
1.6 gpg soft
Tap water in Burlington (North Carolina) is soft: 1.6 gpg (28 mg/L · 1.6 °dH · 2.8 °fH).
Source: City of Burlington 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (copy hosted on greensboro-nc.gov) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 27–29 mg/L.
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Thomas Water Treatment Plant (Stoney Creek Reservoir supply) | 1.6 | 27 | soft |
| J.D. Mackintosh Water Treatment Plant (Lake Mackintosh supply) | 1.7 | 29 | soft |
The City of Burlington's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report gives hardness of 27.4 to 28.5 mg/L (1.6 to 1.7 gpg) across two reported zones, and we show 27.9 mg/L. That is soft water, and the two zones are almost identical, so location in the city makes little difference. Scale is unlikely to be a problem, and a softener would add little.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.6 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Burlington Water Resources Department (PWSID NC 02-01-010) |
How Burlington (North Carolina) compares
- Tap water in Burlington (North Carolina) is 82 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1287 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 6 % of these cities have softer water.
- In North Carolina it is number 6 of 15 cities; the regional median is 1.5 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Winston-Salem, 72 km away (1 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Burlington
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Burlington (North Carolina) water hard or soft?
It is soft: 28 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.6 gpg, 1.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Burlington (North Carolina) safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Burlington (North Carolina) water?
1.6 gpg, equal to 1.6 °dH, 2.8 °fH or 28 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Burlington (North Carolina)?
For 28 mg/L (1.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Burlington (North Carolina)?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: City of Burlington 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (copy hosted on greensboro-nc.gov) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. City of Burlington 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (copy hosted on greensboro-nc.gov) · Outdated figure? Tell us