The total hardness of the water is the sum of the concentrations of 〖Ca〗 ^ (+ 2) and 〖Mg

〗 ^ (+ 2) and is titrated to pH 10 with the help of the black indicator of eriochrome T or

NET which will change from color twice, this indicator is triprotic, before adding the NET
indicator the sample must be acidified to lower the pH to 3 and that CO2 is formed which is
subjected to heating for about 15 minutes to eliminate the interference of C 〖O_3〗 ^ (- 2)
/ HC 〖O_3〗 ^ - and add the methyl red indicator, in addition to this a base is added in
order for the sample to obtain an approximate pH of 7 for a later addition of the buffer
solution. which will regulate the pH to 10 to maintain stable the complex that is formed and
avoid the formation of precipitates of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. When
modifying the pH, the solution changes color from the initial red to yellow but when the
eriochrome T indicator is added it changes color to conchevin and when EDTA is added to
this solution it is first combined with the calcium ions and then with the magnesium ions. ,
because the complex formed by EDTA with calcium ions are more stable.

EDTA in the determination of calcium hardness forms complexes with calcium and
magnesium ions at a pH of 10, however for magnesium to precipitate as magnesium
hydroxide and not interfere in the determination of the calcium hardness the pH must be
between 12 and 13, the indicator used in this procedure is murexide which forms a weakly
dissociated complex with calcium ions giving a pink hue to the sample which the titrant
with EDTA changes color to purple.

Part 1: Determination of
calcium hardness:
1. Place 30mL of sample in an Erlenmeyer flask
2. Add 6N NaOH until a pH between 12 and 13 is obtained.
3. Place 50mg of the murexida indicator
4. Holder with EDTA 0.01M until the desired color change.

- Part 2: Determination of total hardness

1. Place 30 ml of the test sample in an Erlenmeyer flask, add approximately 3 drops of the
Methyl Red indicator.
2. Acidify with 0.1 N HCl, to remove carbonates and bring to a gentle boil for 20 minutes.
3. Allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Neutralize with 0.1 N NaOH
5. Place 2 ml of the buffer solution at pH 10.
6. Add 3-4 drops of the NET indicator.
7. Holder with EDTA 0.01 M until the corresponding color change