Water hardness in Ribeira do Pombal
119 mg/L moderately hard
Tap water in Ribeira do Pombal is moderately hard: 119 mg/L (7 gpg · 6.7 °dH · 11.9 °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: 47–206 mg/L.
Empresa Baiana de Águas e Saneamento supplies Ribeira do Pombal in Bahia. The 2024 SISAGUA median is 119.3 mg/L CaCO₃, but samples run from 46.9 to 206.0 mg/L. The spread is very wide, and the top of the range is hard water. Your tap value may be well above or below the median.
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 | 119 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Empresa Baiana De Aguas E Saneamento Sa |
How Ribeira do Pombal compares
- Tap water in Ribeira do Pombal is 181 % harder than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 121 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 94 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Bahia it is number 20 of 148 cities; the regional median is 66 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Cipó, 53 km away (73 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Poço Verde, 43 km away (194 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Brazil →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Ribeira do Pombal
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H01 |
| Miele | 7 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 2nd |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
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 Ribeira do Pombal water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 119 mg/L as CaCO₃ (7 gpg, 6.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Ribeira do Pombal 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 Ribeira do Pombal water?
7 gpg, equal to 6.7 °dH, 11.9 °fH or 119 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Ribeira do Pombal?
For 119 mg/L (6.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Ribeira do Pombal?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
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