1

EXPERIMENT
Water Hardness

OBJECTIVE
To learn the cause and the effects of hard water
To determine the total, Ca and Mg hardness of a water sample

INTRODUCTION

Water becomes hard by being in contact with soluble, divalent, metallic
cautions. The two main cautions that cause water hardness are calcium (Ca) and
magnesium (Mg). Calcium is dissolved in water as it passes over and through
limestone deposits. Magnesium is dissolved as water passes over and through
dolomite and other magnesium bearing formations. Because groundwater is in
contact with these geologic formations for a longer period of time than surface water,
groundwater is usually harder than surface water. Although strontium, aluminum,
barium, iron, manganese, and zinc also cause hardness in water, they are not
usually present in large enough concentrations to contribute significantly to total
hardness.

Hardness was originally defined as the capacity of water to precipitate soap.
Calcium and magnesium precipitate soap, forming a curd which causes bathtub
ring and dingy laundry (yellowing, graying, loss of brightness, and reduced life of
washable fabrics), and feels unpleasant on the skin (red, itchy, or dry skin). To
counteract these problems, synthetic detergents have been developed. These
detergents have additives known as sequestering agents that tie-up the hardness
ions so they cannot form the troublesome precipitates. Although synthetic detergents
overcome these problems, both soap and detergent are wasted by hardness.

Hard water forms scale, usually calcium carbonate, which causes a variety of
problems. Left to dry on the surface of glassware, silverware, and plumbing fixtures
(shower doors, faucets and sink tops), hard water leaves unsightly scale, called
water spots. Scale that forms on the inside of water pipes eventually reduces the
2

water pipes carrying capacity. Scale that forms within appliances, pumps, valves,
and water meters causes wear on moving parts.
When hard water is heated, scale forms much faster. This creates an
insulation problem inside boilers, water heaters, and hot-water lines and increases
heating costs.

MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

1. Chemicals and Solutions
a. Calcium and magnesium indicator solution (calmagite)
b. Alkali for calcium and magnesium test
c. EDTA solution
d. EGTA solution
e. 10 g/L slaked lime (Ca(OH)) slurry solution
f. Water sample

2. Equipment and Glassware
a. Jar stirrer
b. Centrifugal
c. DR 2800 Spectrophotometer
d. 100 ml Volumetric flask
e. Pipette
f. 1000 ml beakers







3



PROCEDURE
1. The water samples are obtained. The sample may simply the tap water in the
laboratory and from a river.

2. DR 2800 Spectrophotometer is switched on. Press STORED PROGRAMS
and the test is selected 225 hardness Mg.

3. The 150 ml of samples (tap water and stream water) are poured into a beaker
to check the PH level.

4. Then, the 100 ml of the samples (tap water and stream water) are poured into
a volumetric flask.

5. Calcium and Magnesium Indicator solution (calmagite) is added in 1 ml using
1.0 ml measuring dropper or micropipette.

6. The volumetric flask is stopped and swirl it several times.

7. Alkali Solution for Calcium and Magnesium Test is added in 1 ml using a 1.0
ml measuring dropper or micropipette.

8. The volumetric flask is swirl for several times.

9. The square sample cells are cleaned up with ultrapure water.

10. The 10 ml of the solution is poured into each of three square sample cells.

11. Blank Preparation: A drop of EDTA solution is dropped to the first cell and
swirl to mix.

4

12. Magnesium Sample: A drop of EGTA solution is dropped to the second cell
and swirl to mix.

13. Insert the blank (first cell) into the cell holder with the fill line facing right.
Press ZERO and the display showed 0.00 mg/l Mg CaCO.

14. Insert the magnesium sample (second cell) into the cell holder with the fill line
facing right. Press READ. Results are in mg/l magnesium as calcium
carbonate (amount of magnesium in sample expressed as CaCO).

15. Do not remove the cell from the instrument. Record the magnesium results
before proceeding with step 16.

16. Press MAIN MENU. Select the test again. Press SOURCE PROGRAM for
220 hardness Ca and press START.

17. Press ZERO. The display will show: 0.00 mg/l Ca CACO. Remove the
second cell.

18. Calcium sample: Insert the third cell into the cell holder with the fill line facing
right. Press READ. Results are in mg/l calcium as calcium carbonate. This
value is the amount of calcium in the sample expressed as CaCO.

RESULTS
Parameter Initial sample
Tap water River water
PH 7.55 7.63
Calcium hardness 0 0.34
Magnesium hardness 3.25 2.87
Total hardness 2.25 3.21

5




DISCUSSION
Based on the experiment hard water is water that has high mineral content.
Hard drinking water is generally not harmful to one's health, but can pose serious
problems in industrial settings, where water hardness is monitored to avoid costly
breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other equipment that handles water. In
domestic settings, hard water is often indicated by a lack of suds formation when
soap is agitated in water and by the formation of lime scale in kettles and water
heaters.
The experiment to determine the total of Calcium and Magnesium hardness of
the water samples (tap and river water). The result showed the differential hardness
reading between the water samples. The reading of the pH for tap water is 7.050 and
river water is 7.745. For the calcium hardness of the tap water is 0 and the river
water is 30 mg/l. Moreover, the magnesium hardness of the both samples is 2.16 for
tap water and 21.6 mg/l for river water. Thus, the total of the tap water is 2.16 mg/l
and river water is 60.6 mg/l.
From the observation the result that is differential result for the both samples.
The differential the total hardness of the both samples are around 58.44 mg/l. The
result showed that the river water more hardness from the tap water. The river water
consist two mineral which is calcium and magnesium. Meanwhile the tap water just
consist magnesium and only 2.16 mg/l the magnesium mineral.
Nevertheless, the results of the river water have a problem which is the
machine (DR 2800 Spectrophotometer) cant read the reading of the river water
solution. Thus, the reading of the river water should do the dilution which is use in
ratio. The steps for the dilution which are pour 5 ml river water in the volumetric flask.
After that, added 100 ml ultra pure water and add 1 ml of Calcium and Magnesium
Indicator solution and 1 ml Alkali Solution. Swirl the solution and pour the solution
into the three square sample cells. Add 1 drop EDTA solution to the first cell and 1
6

drop the EGTA solution to the second cell. Continue the procedure and read the
result for the river water. The ratio of the dilution process is 5:100 and become 1:20.
So, the river water results that get at the machine should times 20.
Although the both samples in classification of the soft water but the tap water
more soft because the tap water through the water treatment process. The river
water not through any process to became soft water. The river water also
contaminate with contaminated material like waste from factory, residential and so
on.
CONCLUSION
As the conclusion, the experiment showed that the softer than the river water
although the both of the water samples in the soft classification. Tap water in some
parts of the country is very pure and is said to be soft. It easily makes lather with
soap. Water from other parts may contain various dissolved impurities and is
described as hard water. Temporary hardness may be removed by boiling, but
permanent hardness survives the boiling process.
The upshot is that hard water doesn't wash as well as soft water. Clothes and
sheets washed in hard water can feel rough, even harsh to the touch. Skin washed
in hard water is typically reported as feeling scratchy and dry as a result of the soap
scum, and hair is often reported as being dull-looking and sticky.
Nevertheless, the hard water is not interfere the citizen healthy because Hard
water can be problematic in terms of taste, colour, and deposits inside pipes and
plumbing and on cookware and appliances such as water heaters and dishwashers.
It's not generally considered a health hazard, though.
Thus, the water hardness water test can classify the several of water in the world.



7







QUESTION
1. What are the problems associated with hardness in water.
The problems associated with hardness in water:
a. Laundering
Clothes washed in hard water often look dingy and feel harsh and
scratchy. The hardness minerals combine with some soils to form
insoluble salts, making them difficult to remove. Soil on clothes
can introduce even more hardness minerals into the wash water.
b. Bathing
Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the
skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria. Soap curd interferes
with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition, and may lead to
irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult
to manage.
c. Dishwashers
When washing dishes, especially in a dishwasher, hard water may
cause spotting and filming on your crockery. The minerals from hard
water are released faster when it comes into contact with heat,
causing an increase in the amount of spotting and filming that occurs. This
8

problem is not a health risk, but it can be a nuisance to clean and
reduce the quality of your crockery.







2. What are the benefits of using soft water?
a. Having soft water saves the money. When the water is soft, use much
less soap and fewer cleaning products. The budget will automatically
reflect the savings.
b. The plumbing will last longer. Hard water can cause a build up of scale
from mineral deposits. Over time, pipes can clog, water flow can diminish,
and water pressure can be reduced. This doesn't happen with soft
water. Soft water is low in mineral content and therefore doesn't leave
deposits in the pipes.
c. The hot water heater will last longer. Scale and lime build-up created
by minerals will not take place if the water is soft. This adds life to
the hot water heater. Also, if don't have deposits in hot water heater, it
will cost approximately 20% less to heat the water that
consumer does use. At the end of a year, these savings can really add up.
d. Diminished razor burn: Soft water causes the razor to glide more easily
across the face. This, in turn, causes the razor blades to last longer.
9

e. Most water-using appliances will last longer. Whether it's coffee pot,
humidifier, or hot tub, soft water inhibits a build-up of minerals
and adds life to these products.

3. Give the advantages of using lime softening in water treatment.
The disadvantages of the lime softening in water treatment which is proper
disposal of the large quantity of high pH sludge; constant removal of the calcium
carbonate scale on slaking equipment, rapid mixers, and flocculation basin
equipment; safety issues regarding dosing sodium hydroxide or soda ash, and the
slaking and feeding of lime. Extreme care must be taken when working around
dry lime (CaO). The addition of water generates a lot of heat. One must never
apply water from a hose directly to a dry lime spill or accumulation in a
slacker, as there exists the potential of explosion resulting from escaping gases
in heat from the interior of the lime pile.

REFERENCES

1. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_problems_associated_with_hard_water
2. http://www.hardwater.org/hard_water_problems.html
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_water