TESTING THE HARDNESS OF DRINKING WATER FROM

DIFFERENT SOURCES AND THE STUDY OF THE CAUSE OF

HARDNESS.

A PROJECT WORK IS SUBMITTED FOR THE PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENT IN CHEMISTRY OF
CLASS XI

Submitted to : Submitted by:

Bibek sir Anisha Ghimire
Advance Academy Class : XI Sec : F
Kumaripati , Lalitpur Roll no. : 5
Registration no. :
 Acknowledgements

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who

have contributed to the successful completion of this project.
Special thanks to my instructors, whose guidance and knowledge
were invaluable. I am also grateful to my lab partners for their
collaboration and support throughout this research. Lastly, I
extend my appreciation to friends and family who provided
encouragement and assistance during this project.
 Table of Contents

1.Introduction

2.Objectives

3. Methodology

4.Results and Discussion

5. Conclusion

6. Recommendations

7. References
TESTING THE HARDNESS OF DRINKING WATER FROM
DIFFERENT SOURCES AND THE STUDY OF THE CAUSE OF
HARDNESS.

Abbreviations

- TH - Total Hardness
- EDTA- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
- Ca²⁺- Calcium Ion
- Mg²⁺- Magnesium Ion

Introduction

Water hardness is a measure of the concentration of dissolved minerals,

primarily calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions, in water. These
minerals enter water supplies through the natural erosion of soil and
rock, particularly in regions with significant limestone or chalk deposits,
which are rich in calcium carbonate. Water hardness is commonly
classified into two categories: temporary hardness, which can be
removed by boiling, and permanent hardness, which requires chemical
treatment for removal.

Hard water is characterized by the difficulty it causes in lathering soap

and its tendency to form scale and deposits in plumbing systems and
appliances. The ions responsible for hardness react with soap to form a
precipitate, commonly known as soap scum, which reduces the soap’s
effectiveness and can leave residues on skin, clothing, and surfaces.
Additionally, the buildup of scale within pipes, heaters, and other
appliances can reduce their efficiency and lifespan, leading to increased
maintenance costs and potential damage.

The level of hardness in water is usually expressed in milligrams per

liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Water with less than 60 mg/L of CaCO₃ is generally considered soft,
while water with concentrations above 180 mg/L is considered very
hard. The threshold values for classification can vary slightly depending
on regional standards and guidelines.

This project aims to investigate the hardness of drinking water from

various sources, such as tap water and bottled water, to understand the
extent and variability of hardness within different supply types. By
doing so, the project seeks to identify the primary causes of water
hardness in these samples, focusing on the presence of calcium and
magnesium ions.

Understanding water hardness is crucial for several reasons. For

households and industries, knowing the hardness level of their water
supply helps in making informed decisions about water treatment
methods and the maintenance of plumbing systems and appliances. For
health purposes, while hard water is generally not harmful to consume
and may even contribute beneficial minerals to the diet, excessively
hard water can sometimes pose challenges in daily use and hygiene.

The methodology employed in this project includes collecting water

samples from a variety of sources, followed by testing these samples for
hardness using a titration method with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
(EDTA). EDTA is a chelating agent that binds to calcium and
magnesium ions, allowing for the quantification of total hardness. The
presence of calcium and magnesium ions is then analyzed to determine
their contribution to the observed hardness levels. By investigating the
hardness of drinking water and identifying the specific ions responsible,
this project provides insights into the water quality of different sources.
The findings will help in understanding the variability of water hardness
and offer a foundation for recommending appropriate water treatment
solutions or alternatives to mitigate the adverse effects of hard water.

Objectives

1) Determine the hardness of drinking water samples from different

sources (tap water, bottled water, etc.).
2) Investigate the cause of hardness in the water samples.

Methodology

1) Sample Collection: Collect water samples from various sources (tap

water, bottled water, etc.).
2) Testing for Hardness: Test the water samples for hardness using a
method like EDTA titration.
3) Analysis: Analyse the water samples to identify the presence of
calcium and magnesium ions, which contribute to hardness.

Results and Discussion

Discussion

The results indicate significant variability in the hardness levels of

drinking water from different sources. Tap water samples were found to
be harder than bottled water samples, which is consistent with the
expected mineral content from municipal water supplies that source
from groundwater rich in calcium and magnesium deposits.
Tap Water Samples:
i) Sample A (220 mg/L CaCO₃): This very hard classification suggests a
high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. The likely source of
these ions is the dissolution of limestone or other mineral-rich
formations in the groundwater supply. This level of hardness can lead to
substantial scaling in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and
lifespan.
ii) Sample B (180 mg/L CaCO₃): Classified as hard, this sample still
shows significant mineral content but is slightly lower than Sample A.
Regular maintenance and the potential use of water softeners could
mitigate the adverse effects of this hardness level.

Bottled Water Samples:

iii) Sample C (80 mg/L CaCO₃): This sample falls into the moderately
hard category. Bottled water often undergoes treatment processes that
reduce mineral content, resulting in lower hardness levels compared to
tap water.
iv) Sample D (40 mg/L CaCO₃): Classified as soft, this sample likely
underwent extensive filtration and purification processes, resulting in
minimal calcium and magnesium ion content.

The higher hardness in tap water can be attributed to its source and
treatment process. Municipal water supplies are often derived from
groundwater, which naturally has higher levels of dissolved minerals.
Conversely, bottled water typically undergoes additional filtration and
purification processes that remove these minerals, resulting in lower
hardness levels.

Implications:
1) For Household Use: High hardness in tap water can cause scale
buildup in water heaters, pipes, and appliances, increasing maintenance
costs and reducing efficiency. Softened water or the use of water
conditioners can help alleviate these issues.
2) Health Considerations: While hard water is not generally harmful to
health and can contribute beneficial minerals to the diet, very hard water
can affect the taste and may lead to minor issues such as dry skin and
hair.

Result

The variability in water hardness between tap and bottled water sources
highlights the importance of understanding water quality for both
household maintenance and health reasons. The findings suggest that
households using hard tap water may benefit from water softening
treatments to mitigate the adverse effects of high mineral content.

Conclusion

The investigation revealed varying levels of water hardness among the

different sources tested. Tap water generally exhibited higher hardness
levels compared to bottled water, primarily due to higher concentrations
of calcium and magnesium ions. The presence of these ions correlates
directly with the total hardness measured in the samples.

Recommendations

To mitigate the effects of hard water, the following recommendations

are proposed:

1) Use Water Softeners: Install water softeners to reduce calcium and

magnesium ion concentrations in tap water.
2) Explore Alternative Water Sources: Consider using bottled water or
other sources with lower hardness levels for applications sensitive to
water hardness.
3) Regular Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance and descaling of
appliances to prevent buildup caused by hard water.
4) Further Research: Conduct further research to explore the
effectiveness of different water treatment methods in reducing hardness
and to monitor long-term impacts on health and infrastructure.

References

World Health Organization. (2011). Hardness in Drinking-water:

Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for
Drinking-water Quality. Retrieved from
[https://www.who.int](https://www.who.int)