FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

TOTAL HARDNESS & CALCIUM HARDNESS

Hardness is caused by multivalent metallic cations: those

INTRODUCTION
most abundant in natural waters are Calcium and
Magnesium. Hard waters from both underground and surface
supplies are most common in areas having extensive
geological formations of limestone. Although satisfactory for
human consumption, Ca and Mg precipitate soap, reducing
its cleaning action and cause scale in water distribution
mains and hot-water heaters. Waters with less than 50 mg/l
are considered soft, up to 100 mg/l moderately hard and in
excess of 300 mg/l very hard.

1. To determine the Total Hardness and Calcium

OBJECTIVES
Hardness in the water samples.
2. To compare the results obtained from the experiments
with the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia.

1. Conical flask
APPARATUS
2. Beaker
3. Burette
4. Pipette
5. Dropper
6. Measuring cylinder
7. Spoon
8. Stand
9. Ammonia Buffer Solution
10. Erichrome Black T (EBT) indicator
11. 0.01M standard EDTA
12. Sodium Hydroxide
13. Murexide Indicator

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Total Hardness – EDTA TITRIMETRIC METHOD

PROCEDURE

1. 50 mL of water sample was measured by using 250

mL conical flask.
2. Two drop of Ammonia Buffer Solution was added into
the conical flask.
3. One drop of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) solution was
added into the conical flask.
4. Slowly titrated while continuously stirring with 0.01M
Standard EDTA by using burette until the water
sample become blue or grey.
5. The volume of EDTA used was recorded.
6. Experiment was repeated by using another water
sample.

Calcium Hardness – EDTA TITRIMETRIC METHOD

1. 50 mL of water sample was measured by using 250

mL conical flask.
2. One mL of Sodium Hydroxide Solution was added into
the conical flask by using pipette.
3. One full spoon of Murexite Indicator was added into
the conical flask.
4. Slowly titrated while continuously stirring with 0.01M
Standard EDTA by using burette until the water
sample become blue or grey.
5. The volume of EDTA used was recorded.
6. Experiment was repeated by using another water
sample.

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
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DATA (TOTAL HARDNESS) :

RESULTS &
ANALYSIS

Sample Volume : 50 mL
Burette Reading Volume Total
Initial Final
Sample of EDTA Hardness
(mL) (mL)
(mL) (mg/L)
Mineral Water
0.00 5.80 5.80 116
(Bleu)
Mineral Water
5.80 26.50 20.70 414
(Evian)

1000
Total Hardness= x volume of EDTA
mL sample

Calculation :
1000
Total Hardness , CaCO 3 (bleu)= x 5.80
50
¿ 116 mg/ L

1000
Total Hardness , CaCO 3 (evian)= x 20.70
50
¿ 414 mg/L

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

DATA (CALCIUM HARDNESS) :

Sample Volume : 50 mL
Burette Reading Volume Total
Initial Final
Sample of EDTA Hardness
(mL) (mL)
(mL) (mg/L)
Mineral Water
11.50 16.50 5.00 100
(Bleu)
Mineral Water
16.50 33.00 16.50 330
(Evian)

1000
Total Hardness= x volume of EDTA
mL sample

Sample Calculation :
1000
Calcium Hardness , Ca CO3 (bleu )= x 5.00
50
¿ 100 mg/ L

1000
Calcium Hardness , Ca CO3 (evian)= x 16.50
50
¿ 330 mg/ L

1. The sample we used for the experiment both are

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

DISCUSSION
mineral water. But the result show a bit huge different
because of the different value of mineral contains in
each type of mineral water used. While doing the
experiment using “Evian” mineral water, we need to
titrate more than 15 mL EDTA because it contains very
high number of Calcium, Ca (10%) which is good for
growth especially children.

2. From the results calculated, we can see that both of

our sample are classified as hard water. This results
was accurate as mineral water was classified as hard
water as it’s contain essential minerals (Ca & Mg) in it.
Bleu mineral water can be classified as moderate hard
water as the mineral contain in it was only a bit while
Evian mineral water can be classified as very hard
water as it contain high value of minerals. In a
nutshell, both mineral water tested in this experiment
are safe for our consuming.

Very Hard Water > 300 mg/L

Hard Water
150 – 300 mg/L
Moderate Hard Water
76 – 149 mg/L
Soft Water
0 – 75 mg/L

3. Types of indicator used in the experiment ;

i. Erichrome Black T (EBT) solution

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
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 When this indicator added to the water

sample containing Ca and Mg ion, the colour
of the solution will turns to purple.

ii. Murexide Indicator

 This indicator will turn colourless water
sample into pink colour. This colour changes
due to the Ca and Mg content present in
water sample.

4. Hard water is primarily not a health risk, but a trouble

because of mineral build up on fixtures and poor soup
or detergent performances. In other words, hard water
are not suitable for effective cleaning as it causes
yellowing of fabrics, toughens vegetable cooked in the
water and forms scales in boilers, water heaters, pipe
and cooking utensils.

5. Hardness of water also can affect our skin especially

for the face skin. Hard water contain dissolved mineral
(Ca and Mg) which make it harder for water to form a
solution with soap or cleanser and it leaves behind a
scummy residue. While soft water makes it easier to
form a sudsy lather and it makes it easier to rinse the
soap away which means the soap works more
efficiently.

6. The hardness of a good quality water should not

exceed 300 mg/L measured as calcium carbonate
equivalent. Water softer than range 30 – 75 mg/L may
be corrosive to piping depending on pH, alkalinity and
dissolved oxygen. Plus, soft waters are corrosive and
dissolve the metals.

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As the conclusion, the Total Hardness and Calcium Hardness

CONCLUSION
of the “Blew” mineral water are 116 mg/L and 100 mg/L
respectively. While Total Hardness and Calcium Hardness of
the “Evian” mineral water are 414 mg/L and 330 mg/L
respectively. Based on the Department of Environment
(DOE) Malaysia, both of minerals water are classified as hard
water and safe and suitable for human consumption as
drinking water daily.

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

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