Burbank’s tap water averaged 16.6 grains per gallon in 2024 — more than 50% above the level the industry calls “very hard.” That is the scale on your shower glass, the film on your dishes, and the reason your water heater is working harder than it should. We are headquartered on West Pacific Avenue in Burbank, minutes from most of the city, and we have been solving this exact problem for Burbank homes and businesses for over 20 years.
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How hard is Burbank water, exactly?
You do not have to take our word for it. Burbank Water and Power publishes the number every year in its Annual Water Quality Report. Here is the most recent data:
| Measure | Burbank (2024) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average hardness | 285 ppm (16.6 grains per gallon) | Very hard |
| Range across the city | 148 – 300 ppm (8.7 – 17.5 gpg) | Hard to very hard |
| Calcium | 78 ppm average | The mineral that becomes scale |
| Industry “very hard” threshold | Over 10 grains per gallon | Burbank is 66% above it |
Burbank is 66% past the point where water is classified “very hard.” At this level scale forms fast on any surface that heats water — which is why water heaters and tankless units are usually the first thing to fail in a Burbank home.
Source: Burbank Water and Power, 2024 Annual Water Quality Report. BWP states directly: “Burbank’s water averaged 285 ppm for 2024 which is equivalent to 16.6 grains/gallon.”
Burbank’s supply is a blend of imported Metropolitan Water District water — much of it Colorado River water, which is naturally very hard — and local groundwater from the San Fernando Basin. That blend shifts through the year, which is why hardness ranges from 148 to 300 ppm depending on where you live and when you test. Homes in the Rancho and Magnolia Park areas often read differently from homes up in the hills.
What 16.6 grains is costing you right now
Hard water is not a health risk. It is an equipment and maintenance problem, and it compounds quietly:
- Water heaters. Scale insulates the heating element from the water. Your heater burns more gas or electricity to reach the same temperature, and it fails years earlier than its rated life.
- Fixtures and appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, coffee equipment and tankless heaters all fail at the scale line first. Most manufacturer warranties exclude scale damage.
- Cleaning. Hard water deactivates soap before it can lather, so you use more detergent, more shampoo and more time — and still get spotting on glass and streaks on tile.
- Skin and hair. The same soap residue that films your shower door stays on your skin. It is the single most common thing Burbank customers tell us they notice within the first week.
- Laundry. Calcium bonds into fabric. Towels stiffen, whites go grey, and clothes wear out faster.
Your options in Burbank
There is no single right system. Which one fits depends on your hardness reading, your plumbing, whether you own or rent, and whether you want soft water or just scale protection. We will tell you honestly which one you need, including when that is the cheaper one.
Salt-based water softener — the complete fix
Ion exchange physically removes the calcium and magnesium. This is the only technology that produces genuinely soft water: the slick-feeling shower, the effortless lather, the end of spotting. At Burbank’s 16.6 grains, this is what most homeowners are actually looking for. Our Praz Signature system runs 58 gallons per minute with a 225,000-grain capacity, metered so it only regenerates when it needs to rather than on a timer.
Salt-free conditioning (TAC) — scale protection, no salt
Template Assisted Crystallization converts hardness minerals into microscopic crystals that stay suspended instead of bonding to your pipes and heater. The minerals remain in the water, so it does not feel soft and will not stop spotting — but it protects equipment, uses no salt, needs no drain line, wastes no water and requires almost no maintenance. Good fit for condos, HOA restrictions, tight installs, and anyone who wants scale protection without a salt tank.
Whole-house filtration
Softening and filtering are different jobs. A softener addresses hardness; a whole-house filter addresses chlorine, chloramine, taste, odor and sediment. Most Burbank homes we work on get the two paired, which is why we build a combined softener-and-filter package.
Reverse osmosis for drinking water
An under-sink RO system gives you bottled-quality drinking and cooking water at the tap. This is the upgrade customers say they would not give up, and it retires the bottled water delivery bill for good.
Commercial systems
Restaurants on San Fernando Boulevard, salons, medical and dental offices, car washes, and the production facilities around the Media District all run into the same scale problem at a much higher cost. Our commercial line runs 78 gallons per minute at 250,000-grain capacity. Scale is the leading cause of premature failure in commercial dishwashers, steamers, espresso machines and boilers.
Why choose a Burbank company
Most of the water treatment companies bidding on Burbank jobs are not in Burbank. They are in Pasadena, the east Valley, or out past Foothill, and you are paying for the drive in both the quote and the wait.
We are at 3611 West Pacific Avenue, Suite A. That has three practical consequences:
- We already know your water. We are not guessing at your hardness — we drink the same supply and we have installed on your street.
- Service actually happens. A softener is not a one-time purchase; it needs salt, occasional resin service and a valve check. Being ten minutes away is the difference between a service call this week and a service call whenever they are next in the area. We include bi-monthly checkups.
- You can find us. We have been at this for two decades with a physical address you can drive to.
Areas we serve in and around Burbank
Magnolia Park, Rancho Equestrian District, Burbank Hills, Downtown Burbank, Media District, Chandler, Toluca Lake, Toluca Woods, Burbank Village, Empire Center area, and all Burbank ZIP codes: 91501, 91502, 91504, 91505, 91506 and 91510. We also cover Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley and the wider Los Angeles area.
How it works
- Free water test. We come to you, test your actual water at your actual tap, and show you the reading. No charge, no obligation.
- A straight recommendation. We tell you which system fits your home and your budget, and we tell you when you do not need the bigger one.
- Professional installation. Usually a single visit. Clean work, proper drain and bypass, and we walk you through operating it before we leave.
- We stay. Warranty on parts and labor, bi-monthly checkups, salt delivery and service when you need it.
New Burbank customers get 10% off.
Call (310) 894-8488 Schedule your free water test
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the water in Burbank, CA?
Burbank Water and Power reported an average hardness of 285 ppm for 2024, which is 16.6 grains per gallon. Readings across the city ranged from 148 to 300 ppm. Anything above 10 grains per gallon is classified as very hard water, so Burbank sits well into that category.
How much does a water softener cost in Burbank?
It depends on the size of your home, your hardness reading, and whether you add filtration or reverse osmosis. We give you a firm price after the free water test rather than a range over the phone, and new customers receive 10% off. Financing questions are welcome.
How long does installation take?
Most Burbank residential installations are completed in a single visit, typically two to four hours depending on where your main line and drain are located. We handle the bypass valve and drain connection as part of the job.
Can I put a water softener in a condo or an HOA property?
Often yes, though space and drain access are the limiting factors and some HOAs restrict salt-based systems. This is exactly the case where a salt-free TAC conditioner works well, since it needs no drain line and no brine tank. We will look at the install location during the water test and tell you what is possible.
How often do I need to add salt?
For a typical Burbank household on a metered system, expect to add salt roughly every four to eight weeks. Our metered valves regenerate based on actual water use instead of a fixed timer, which cuts salt and water consumption noticeably at Burbank’s hardness level. We can also deliver salt for you.
Will a water softener lower my utility bills?
It reduces the energy your water heater wastes fighting scale and extends the working life of every appliance that touches hot water. It is best understood as protecting equipment you have already paid for rather than as a guaranteed monthly saving.
Do you serve Burbank businesses?
Yes. We install and service commercial softening, filtration and reverse osmosis for restaurants, offices, salons, medical and dental practices and production facilities, and we also rent bottleless water coolers. See our commercial systems.
What is the difference between a water softener and a water filter?
A softener removes calcium and magnesium, which is what stops scale and makes soap work. A filter removes chlorine, taste, odor and sediment, but does nothing about hardness. They solve different problems, and most Burbank homes benefit from both — which is why we offer a combined system.