Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Hardness of Water
The difference between temporary and permanent hardness of water can be understood from the table below:
Temporary Hardness vs Permanent Hardness |
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Characteristic |
Temporary Hardness |
Permanent Hardness |
Origin |
Caused by bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) in water. |
Caused by chlorides, sulfates, or nitrates of calcium and magnesium in water. |
Removal by Boiling |
Removed by boiling water. |
Not removed by boiling water; remains after boiling. |
Formation of Scale |
Causes scale formation when water is heated. |
Causes scale formation both when heated and in normal conditions. |
Effect on Soap Lathering |
Reduces soap lathering ability. |
Does not significantly affect soap lathering. |
Chemical Precipitation |
Can be precipitated by adding lime Ca(OH)2 |
Cannot be easily precipitated by common methods; often requires water softening techniques. |
Hardness Salts |
Mainly bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. |
Mainly sulfates, chlorides, and nitrates of calcium and magnesium. |
Health Impact |
Generally not harmful to health. |
Not harmful but can be problematic for industrial processes and can contribute to scale buildup. |
Hardness of Water: Temporary and Permanent Hardness
Hardness of Water is caused due to the presence of soluble bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is water that does not lather when soap is added. There might be some small health benefits in drinking hard water. It can present severe problems in factories where water hardness is monitored to prevent expensive breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other water-handling equipment.
In this article, we will learn, what is hardness of water, the types of hardness, how to remove it along with the disadvantages and harmful effects of the hardness of water.
Table of Content
- What is Hardness of Water?
- What Is Hard Water?
- Types of Hardness of Water
- Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Hardness of Water
- Methods to Remove Temporary Hardness of Water
- Methods to Remove Permanent Hardness of Water