What is lime softening and what problem does it address?

Prepare for the ADEQ Water Treatment Grade 4 Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with each question offering hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is lime softening and what problem does it address?

Explanation:
Lime softening targets hardness in water by using lime (calcium hydroxide) to raise pH and alkalinity. As the pH increases, calcium and magnesium ions in the water react to form insoluble precipitates—calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide—that settle out. This removes the hardness-causing ions from the water, making it softer. While raising alkalinity is a helpful side effect, the main problem addressed is reducing calcium and magnesium hardness.

Lime softening targets hardness in water by using lime (calcium hydroxide) to raise pH and alkalinity. As the pH increases, calcium and magnesium ions in the water react to form insoluble precipitates—calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide—that settle out. This removes the hardness-causing ions from the water, making it softer. While raising alkalinity is a helpful side effect, the main problem addressed is reducing calcium and magnesium hardness.

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