What Is Hard Water?

Hard water contains a lot of minerals. It is created when water breaks through the calcium and magnesium carbonate deposits in chalk and limestone layers. It is inappropriate for laundry because it does not produce a lather when soap is added.

Too hard water can damage boilers because it causes salt to build up and lowers the boiler’s performance. Although hard water is safe to drink, consuming it frequently can cause several problems, including:

  • Skin stretches
  • Water appliances have to work harder, which raises the cost of water.
  • Spots show up on linens and clothing.

Hardness of Water Formula

The hardness of water is typically quantified using the following formula:

Hardness (mg/L or ppm) = (Equivalent Weight of CaCO3 × Volume of EDTA solution (mL) × Normality of EDTA solution) / Volume of Water Sample (L)

In this formula:

  • Equivalent Weight of CaCO3Equivalent Weight of CaCO3​ is the equivalent weight of calcium carbonate,
  • Volume of EDTA solutionVolume of EDTA solution is the volume of the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution used in the titration,
  • Normality of EDTA solutionNormality of EDTA solution is the normality of the EDTA solution, and
  • Volume of Water SampleVolume of Water Sample is the volume of the water sample being tested.

Hardness of Water: Temporary and Permanent Hardness

Hardness of Water is caused due to the presence of soluble bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is water that does not lather when soap is added. There might be some small health benefits in drinking hard water. It can present severe problems in factories where water hardness is monitored to prevent expensive breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other water-handling equipment.

In this article, we will learn, what is hardness of water, the types of hardness, how to remove it along with the disadvantages and harmful effects of the hardness of water.

Table of Content

  • What is Hardness of Water?
  • What Is Hard Water?
  • Types of Hardness of Water
  • Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Hardness of Water
  • Methods to Remove Temporary Hardness of Water
  • Methods to Remove Permanent Hardness of Water

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