Water hardness in Arcos
231 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Arcos is very hard: 231 mg/L (13.5 gpg · 12.9 °dH · 23.1 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Saneamento De Minas Gerais), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024) · data checked 2026-10-20
Arcos (Minas Gerais) is supplied by Copasa. The 2024 SISAGUA value is 231.0 mg/L as CaCO3, which is very hard and well above most Brazilian towns in this batch. Scale on kettles, heaters and fixtures is likely, and a softener may be worth considering. Only one figure is published, so no range is shown.
Portaria GM/MS nº 888/2021 sets a maximum of 300 mg/L CaCO₃ for total hardness (dureza total); operators report it in mg/L to SISAGUA.
Water data
| Total hardness | 231 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Companhia De Saneamento De Minas Gerais |
How Arcos compares
- Tap water in Arcos is 444 % harder than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 18 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 99 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Minas Gerais it is number 5 of 290 cities; the regional median is 41 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Japaraíba, 13 km away (56 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Brazil →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Arcos
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 13 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 4th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Arcos water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 231 mg/L as CaCO₃ (13.5 gpg, 12.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Arcos safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Portaria GM/MS nº 888/2021 sets a maximum of 300 mg/L CaCO₃ for total hardness (dureza total); operators report it in mg/L to SISAGUA.
How many grains per gallon is Arcos water?
13.5 gpg, equal to 12.9 °dH, 23.1 °fH or 231 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Arcos?
For 231 mg/L (12.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Arcos?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Saneamento De Minas Gerais), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Saneamento De Minas Gerais), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us