Determination of Total Hardness in water:

Total hardness of water is determined by titrating known quantity of sample with std. EDTA solution
using Eriochrome black T indicator.

1. Principle: this method is based on the ability of EDTA or its disodium salt to form a soluble
complex with calcium and magnesium ions. When dye EBT is added to a solution
containing calcium and magnesium ions at ph 10.0, a wine red complex is formed. This
solution is titrated with std. Solution of EDTA, which extract calcium and magnesium from
dye complex and colour changes to blue. (Original colour of indicator.)

2. Reagents:

1. 0.01 M EDTA: - 3.7224 gms of di-sodium salt of EDTA is dissolved in 1 ltr. Distilled water.

Standardisation of EDTA: -- Weigh 0.2 to 0.4 gm of pure zinc metal, dissolve it in 2ml of
HNO3. Dilute to 100 ml using distilled water in a volumetric flask. Pipette out 5 ml of this
soln. Add NaOH till soln becomes turbid. Add 5 ml of buffer soln, 2 drops of EBT indicator
and titrate against prepared EDTA soln. Colour changes from wine red to blue.

Calculation: - 1ml of 0.01m EDTA = 0.0006538 gm of Zinc

molarity of EDTA = weight of Zn x 0.05 x 0.01

B.R. X 0.0006538

2. Buffer solution - 17.5 gms of NH4Cl is dissolved in 142 ml of liquor ammonia and 108
distilled water.
3. Eriochrome black T :- 1 gm EBT indicator + 75 ml triethanolamine + 15 ml isopropyl
alcohol.

Procedure:

1. Take 25 ml of sample in a conical flask.

2. Add 10 ml of buffer solution.
3. Add 1 - 2 drops of EBT indicator.
4. Titrate with std. EDTA solution.
5. The colour changes from wine red to blue.
6. Note down the burette reading.

Calculations: burette reading x 1000

Total hardness as CaCO3 = -------------------------------
sample taken
Reference : Quantitative Inorganic Analysis by Arthur I Vogel.

Determination of Calcium hardness in water:

Calcium hardness of water is determined by titrating known volume of sample with std. EDTA solution using
murexide indicator at pH 12 - 13. The colour change is pink to purple.

1. Principle:

This method is based on the ability of EDTA or its disodium salt to form a soluble complex with calcium at
pH 12-13. The Magnesium ions at high pH precipitate as Mg(OH)2.

2. Reagents:

1. 0.01 M EDTA = 3.7224 gms EDTA in 1 ltr. D.W.

2. 4 N NaOH (16% NaOH )

3. Murexide indicator. (powder )

3. Procedure:

1. Take 25 ml sample in a conical flask.

2. Add 1 ml of 4 N NaOH and starr. ( pH 12 -13 ).
3. Add murexide indicator.
4. Titrate with std. EDTA solution till the colour changes to purple.
5. Record the volume of EDTA reqd. for the end point.

4. Calculation:

Burette reading x 1000

Calcium hardness as CaCO3 = -------------------------------
Sample Taken

Reference : Quantitative Inorganic Analysis by Arthur I Vogel.