Water hardness in Virgem da Lapa
17 mg/L soft
Tap water in Virgem da Lapa is soft: 17 mg/L (1 gpg · 1 °dH · 1.7 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Copasa Servicos De Saneamento Integrado Do Norte E Nordeste De Minas Gerais Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 12–20 mg/L.
Copasa Servicos De Saneamento Integrado Do Norte E Nordeste De Minas Gerais Sa supplies Virgem da Lapa in Minas Gerais. Reported hardness is 17.4 mg/L CaCO₃, in the soft category, with a range of 12.4 to 20.4 mg/L. The figures come from the Ministry of Health's 2024 monitoring data. Limescale is unlikely.
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 | 17 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Copasa Servicos De Saneamento Integrado Do Norte E Nordeste De Minas Gerais Sa |
How Virgem da Lapa compares
- Tap water in Virgem da Lapa is 59 % softer than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 1627 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 15 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Minas Gerais it is number 247 of 290 cities; the regional median is 41 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Josenópolis, 26 km away (6 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Coronel Murta, 21 km away (95 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 Virgem da Lapa
| 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 Virgem da Lapa water hard or soft?
It is soft: 17 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1 gpg, 1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Virgem da Lapa 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 Virgem da Lapa water?
1 gpg, equal to 1 °dH, 1.7 °fH or 17 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Virgem da Lapa?
For 17 mg/L (1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Virgem da Lapa?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Copasa Servicos De Saneamento Integrado Do Norte E Nordeste De Minas Gerais Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Copasa Servicos De Saneamento Integrado Do Norte E Nordeste De Minas Gerais Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us