Hard water typically increases the pH level, making the water more alkaline.
Hardness in water refers to the presence of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals act as buffering agents, meaning they resist changes in pH. Here's a breakdown of how this works:
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Buffering Capacity: The calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water can react with acids that might lower the pH. This reaction consumes the acid, preventing a significant drop in pH and effectively maintaining a higher, more alkaline level.
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Alkalinity: Hard water often contains carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. These compounds contribute to the water's alkalinity. Alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to neutralize acids. Higher alkalinity directly translates to a higher pH.
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pH Scale: pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral; values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are alkaline (or basic). Hard water generally has a pH above 7.
In summary, because of the buffering capacity and alkaline compounds found in hard water, it tends to have a higher pH (more alkaline) than soft water.
