Water hardness in Ipaumirim
320 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Ipaumirim is very hard: 320 mg/L (18.7 gpg · 17.9 °dH · 31.9 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 131–682 mg/L.
Ipaumirim, in Ceará, is supplied by Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara. The Ministry of Health reports a median of 319.5 mg/L for 2026, with readings from 130.5 to 681.6 mg/L, which is very hard. Limescale on appliances is likely, and the wide range means results at your tap may differ considerably.
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 | 320 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara |
How Ipaumirim compares
- Tap water in Ipaumirim is 652 % harder than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 6 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 100 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ceará it is number 4 of 47 cities; the regional median is 115 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Baixio, 12 km away (160 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 Ipaumirim
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 18 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H3 |
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 Ipaumirim water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 320 mg/L as CaCO₃ (18.7 gpg, 17.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ipaumirim 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 Ipaumirim water?
18.7 gpg, equal to 17.9 °dH, 31.9 °fH or 320 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ipaumirim?
For 320 mg/L (17.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Ipaumirim?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us