Water hardness in Ilhéus
13 mg/L soft
Tap water in Ilhéus is soft: 13 mg/L (0.8 gpg · 0.7 °dH · 1.3 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Empresa Baiana De Aguas E Saneamento Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 13–24 mg/L.
Ilhéus is supplied by Embasa, the state water company of Bahia; the sources checked do not name its intake here. Records for 2024 give a median of 13.0 mg/L CaCO₃, with individual results from 12.5 to 24.0 mg/L. Scale on kettles and taps is unlikely; soft water also rinses soap slowly, so dose detergent and shampoo sparingly.
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 | 13 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Empresa Baiana De Aguas E Saneamento Sa |
How Ilhéus compares
- Tap water in Ilhéus is 69 % softer than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 1735 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 9 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bahia it is number 147 of 148 cities; the regional median is 66 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Itabuna, 15 km away (117 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Brazil →
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 Ilhéus
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °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 Ilhéus water hard or soft?
It is soft: 13 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.8 gpg, 0.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ilhéus 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 Ilhéus water?
0.8 gpg, equal to 0.7 °dH, 1.3 °fH or 13 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ilhéus?
For 13 mg/L (0.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Ilhéus?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Empresa Baiana De Aguas E Saneamento Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Empresa Baiana De Aguas E Saneamento Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us