Alkalinity and Hardness

When alkalinity is greater than the total hardness, then all the hardness is in the carbonate form. 1 When pH is less than 8.3, all the alkalinity is in the bicarbonate (carbonate) form; this is natural alkalinity. 2 When the pH is above 8.3, the alkalinity may consist of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide. As pH increases, the alkalinity shifts towards the carbonate and hydroxide forms. 2 Carbonate hardness (temporary hardness) is removed by lime only. 3 Non-carbonate hardness (permanent hardness) is removed with lime and soda ash. 3 Levels of Hardness 5 Extremely soft to soft Soft to moderately hard Moderately hard to hard Hard to very hard Very hard to excessively hard Too hard for ordinary domestic use Alum / Alkalinity Ratio For every mg/L of alum added, 0.45 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is required to complete the chemical reaction. 2:1 (1 alum to bicarbonate alkalinity) 6 Definitions: Alkalinity Capacity of water to neutralize acids. A measure of how much acid must added to a liquid to lower the pH to 4.5 It is expressed in mg/L of equivalent CaCO3 4 0-45 46-90 91-130 131-170 171-250 OVER 250

Hydrated lime Ca(OH)2 - Calcium Hydroxide Quicklime CaO - Calcium Oxide Total alkalinity Sum of the bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide. Total hardness Sum of the carbonate hardness and the noncarbonate hardness. Footnotes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. II; 81; 14.20 II; 82; 14.22 II; 84; 14.31 II; 81; 14.22 II; 78; table 14.1 I; 176; 5.241