OBJECTIVE:

This experiment is conducted in order to determine the total hardness of given water
sample
Standard: as per IS: 3025 (Part 21) - Reaffirmed 2002.

INTRODUCTION:
The simple definition of water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and
magnesium in the water. Hard water is high in dissolved minerals, both calcium and
magnesium. Presence of calcium and magnesium salts in the form of bicarbonate, chloride
and sulphate in water makes water hard.
Temporary hardness
It is due to the occurrence of bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. It can be
removed through boiling.
Permanent hardness
Due to the occurrence of chlorides and sulphates of calcium and magnesium. It
cannot
be removed through boiling.

IMPORTANCE:
 Water hardness is important to fish culture and is a commonly reported
aspect of water quality.
 Scales formed mainly due to carbonate hardness act as insulations and cause
enormous loss of fuel in boiler.
 In addition, hard water, particularly very hard water, could provide
an important supplementary contribution to total calcium and magnesium
intake.
 The health effects of hard water are mainly due to the effects of the salts
dissolved in it

PRINCIPLE:
 A water sample is buffered to pH 10.1 and taken in to a conical flask.
 If an indicator dye like EBT, when added to a solution containing Calcium and
Magnesium ions, the color of the solution turns to wine red.
 EDTA, the titrant, complexes with Magnesium and Calcium ions, removing
them from association with the indicator
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  When all the Mg and Ca are complexed with EDTA, the indicator will turn blue.
This is the end point of the titration.

CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT:.

 Burette
 Pipette
 Beakers
 Conical Flasks
 EDTA. (Disodium Salt of EDTA) 0.01 Molar.
 EBT indicator. Erichrome Black T.
 Ammonium Chloride-Ammonium Hydroxide Buffer
 Magnesium sulphate

PROCEDURE:
Firstly collect 20ml of sample of tap water with the help of pipette than add 2ml of
ammonium hydro oxide (NH4) as buffer. The next step is to fill the burette with EDTA
solution followed by adding 2 drops of EBT indicator in the sample. It changes the color to
red wine, Next titrate the sample against EDTA solution until it turns into steel blue color.
For calculations note the initial and final reading of burette and calculate the total
hardness of sample.

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RESULTS:

Sample Type Sample Volume (ml) Initial Reading (ml) Final Reading (ml ) EDTA Volume
Tap Water 20 22.7 31.1 8.4

FORMULA:
Hardness (mg/liter) = (Volume of EDTA * Molarity of EDTA * 100000)/ Sample Volume
Hardness = (8.4 x 0.01 x100000)/20ml
Hardness= 420 mg/liter
CONCLUSIONS:
By analyzing the results of the experimentations performed it can be concluded that
(WHO) states that samples with water hardness less than 550 mg/L are suitable for potable
use. Since our sample lies below this limit, hence we can say that the water is safe for
potable use according to hardness range.
The hardness of good quality water should not exceed 250 mg/L measured as calcium
carbonate equivalents. Waters softer than 30 to 50 mg/L may be corrosive to piping
depending on pH, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Use of proper safety equipment. (Lab coat, Gloves and glasses).
2. Handle the Instruments with care
3. Do not inhale the chemicals if using pipette.
4. Avoid human error while taking readings.
5. Don’t perform with or use very old reagents.
6. Always perform experiments following the standards.
7. Avoid contact of chemicals with body.

REFERENCES:
Material and lectures provided by lab.

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