Water hardness in Salitre
365 mg/L very hard
Tap water in Salitre is very hard: 365 mg/L (21.3 gpg · 20.5 °dH · 36.5 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 299–423 mg/L.
Salitre, in Ceará, is served by Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara. The 2025 SISAGUA median is 365.2 mg/L as CaCO₃, ranging from 299.1 to 422.7 mg/L. This is very hard water, so scale on kettles, heaters and fixtures is likely.
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 | 365 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Companhia De Agua E Esgoto Do Ceara |
How Salitre compares
- Tap water in Salitre is 759 % harder than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 4 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 100 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Ceará it is number 2 of 47 cities; the regional median is 115 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Araripe, 21 km away (113 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 Salitre
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 20 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| 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 Salitre water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 365 mg/L as CaCO₃ (21.3 gpg, 20.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Salitre 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 Salitre water?
21.3 gpg, equal to 20.5 °dH, 36.5 °fH or 365 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Salitre?
For 365 mg/L (20.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Salitre?
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 (2025). 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