Water hardness in Novo Hamburgo
14 mg/L soft
Tap water in Novo Hamburgo is soft: 14 mg/L (0.8 gpg · 0.8 °dH · 1.4 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Servicos De Agua E Esgoto De Novo Hamburgo), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Novo Hamburgo is supplied by a municipal utility; the sources checked do not name its intake. Records for 2026 give a median of 14.3 mg/L CaCO₃ without a published range. 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 | 14 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Servicos De Agua E Esgoto De Novo Hamburgo |
How Novo Hamburgo compares
- Tap water in Novo Hamburgo is 66 % softer than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 1707 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 11 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Rio Grande do Sul it is number 244 of 244 cities; the regional median is 60 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: São Leopoldo, 8 km away (46 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 Novo Hamburgo
| 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 Novo Hamburgo water hard or soft?
It is soft: 14 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.8 gpg, 0.8 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Novo Hamburgo 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 Novo Hamburgo water?
0.8 gpg, equal to 0.8 °dH, 1.4 °fH or 14 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Novo Hamburgo?
For 14 mg/L (0.8 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Novo Hamburgo?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Servicos De Agua E Esgoto De Novo Hamburgo), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Servicos De Agua E Esgoto De Novo Hamburgo), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us