Burbank Water Quality Breakdown
Your tap water's hardness is a critical, but often overlooked, aspect of your home's infrastructure. Here are the facts for Burbank:
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG (grains per gallon)
- Water Hardness: 205.2 PPM (parts per million)
- Water Source: A mix of local groundwater and state-imported water.
With a national average of roughly 5 GPG, Burbank's water is more than twice as hard. A 12.0 GPG rating means that for every gallon of water you use, the equivalent of 12 full-sized aspirin tablets of dissolved rock (calcium and magnesium) is flowing through your pipes.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Appliances
That dissolved rock doesn't stay dissolved. It deposits as rock-hard scale inside your plumbing and appliances, with significant financial consequences. For the average Burbank household, this means:
- Annual Scale Buildup: A staggering 2.8 pounds of calcium carbonate scale forms inside your pipes, water heater, and dishwasher each year.
- Water Heater Inefficiency: Scale acts as insulation. For a gas water heater, this mineral layer forces the burner to work 15-25% harder to heat the water, wasting gas and increasing your utility bills from the Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power.
- Reduced Appliance Lifespan: A standard water heater should last 12-15 years. With Burbank's water, its life is cut to an average of just 9.0 years. The same premature failure affects washing machines, dishwashers, and coffee makers.
- Detergent Waste: Hard water inhibits soap's ability to lather, forcing you to use 30-50% more laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo to achieve the same cleaning power.
How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family's Skin and Hair
While municipal water in Burbank is safe to drink, its high mineral content has noticeable effects on your body. The dissolved calcium and magnesium react with soaps to form a sticky residue, often called soap scum.
- This residue can clog pores, leading to dry, itchy skin and aggravating conditions like eczema.
- It coats hair follicles, leaving hair feeling brittle, dull, and difficult to manage.
- For families, preparing baby formula with very hard water can be a concern, and the residue left on skin after bathing can cause irritation for infants.
Choosing the Right Filtration System for Burbank
At 12.0 GPG, simply using a pitcher filter is not enough to protect your home. You need a solution that treats water as it enters your house. Here are your best options:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: This is an excellent, low-maintenance choice for Burbank's water hardness. It doesn't remove the minerals but uses a process to crystallize them so they can't form hard scale on pipes and appliances. It's ideal for those concerned with sodium intake or salt discharge regulations.
- Traditional Water Softener: For maximum scale prevention and the benefits of soft water (better lather, softer skin), a salt-based ion exchange softener is the most effective solution.
The financial payback is clear. A whole-house system (averaging around $1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 11.9 years through annual savings of $126 on energy, detergents, and delayed appliance replacement costs.