Is Burnsville, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Burnsville tap water is safe to drink. No contaminants exceed health guidelines. However, Burnsville has very hard water at 255 PPM, which will cause scale buildup in plumbing and appliances over time. A water softener is worth considering.
Hardness Scale: Where Burnsville Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Burnsville Compares
Burnsville's water is 85% harder than the national average of 138 PPM. It ranks #165 out of 1000 cities in our database (harder than 84% of US cities we track). Within Minnesota, it ranks #6 of 16 cities (18% above the state average of 216 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Burnsville ranks #52 of 258 for hardness. At this hardness level, water heaters run an estimated 47% less efficiently due to scale insulation, and major water-using appliances typically last 4 years less than the national average lifespan.
What Burnsville's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 255 PPM - Treatment Recommended
Burnsville has some extremely hard water. At 255 PPM (14.9 grains per gallon), your tap is loaded with mineral content carried in from the watershed geology. Here's the thing: it's perfectly safe to drink. The minerals won't hurt you. But they will hurt your wallet. That adds up. Hard water at 255 PPM increases household costs through scale-coated water heaters that use more energy, extra soap and detergent, and appliances that wear out faster. Most Burnsville homeowners don't realize it until the plumber shows up. That's 18% harder than the Minnesota average.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Burnsville's water has TTHMs at 23.5 ppb and HAA5 at 5.63 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Burnsville's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 23.5 ppb (29% of the legal limit, but 157x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 5.63 ppb (9% of the legal limit, but 56x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.068 ppb, which is 3.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
How Hard Water Affects Your Home
At 255 PPM, untreated hard water has measurable effects on household costs and appliance life:
- Water heater inefficiency: Scale insulation forces the heater to work harder (DOE estimates up to 22% more energy for heavily scaled units)
- Soap and detergent: Hard water reduces lathering, requiring significantly more product
- Appliance replacement: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines fail 2-4 years earlier due to scale buildup
- Plumbing maintenance: Scale buildup in pipes reduces flow and requires more frequent service
Note: Impact varies by household size, water usage, and local energy costs. A home water test provides the most accurate assessment for your specific situation.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 255 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ⚠ Very Hard |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 349 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ⚠ Elevated |
| PFAS (total) | 24.25 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.9 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.313 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Our Top Picks for Burnsville (255 PPM)
Hard water at 255 PPM causes scale buildup, increased energy use, and premature appliance failure. A softener protects your plumbing and appliances.
How to Test Your Water in Burnsville
With 255 PPM hardness, a quick test strip confirms whether your specific tap matches Burnsville's average before you invest in a softener. Hardness can vary within the same system.
Free option: Request City of Burnsville Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Burnsville's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Burnsville Water
Water Source: Local wells & Minnesota River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 61,747
Hardness: 255 PPM (14.9 grains per gallon)
Burnsville's drinking water comes from surface sources — Local wells & Minnesota River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. Despite the treatment process, mineral hardness from the watershed carries through. The system serves 62,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Burnsville Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Burnsville Water in Burnsville, MN, including ZIP codes:
55068, 55122, 55124, 55306, 55337, 55372, 55378
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Water Softener Sizing for Burnsville
At 255 PPM (14.9 GPG), here is how to size a softener for your Burnsville home. Multiply hardness in GPG (14.9) by daily water usage (roughly 50 gallons per person). A family of four uses about 200 gallons/day: 14.9 GPG × 200 gal = 2980 grains/day. Over a 7-day regeneration cycle, that is 20,860 grains - a 32,000-grain softener is the right fit for most Burnsville households.
Compare Burnsville to Other Minnesota Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Burnsville Water
Is Burnsville tap water safe to drink?
Where does Burnsville's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Burnsville?
Does Burnsville water damage tankless water heaters?
How much does hard water cost a Burnsville household per year?
What is the hardness of Burnsville water in grains per gallon?
What size water softener do I need for Burnsville?
Salt-based softener or salt-free conditioner for Burnsville?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Burnsville Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 255 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Burnsville's water data.