Yes, based on monitoring data, water in Egypt can be classified as hard, even reaching levels considered very hard in some instances.
Water hardness is determined by the concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Higher concentrations lead to harder water. Hardness is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) as calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Water Hardness Levels in Egypt
According to a study monitoring water quality in Egyptian tap water, the highest mean value for total hardness observed was 185.1 mg/L. This highest mean was recorded during the winter season.
Let's look at how 185.1 mg/L fits into common water hardness classifications:
| Classification | Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) |
|---|---|
| Soft | 0 - 60 |
| Moderately Hard | 61 - 120 |
| Hard | 121 - 180 |
| Very Hard | > 180 |
As you can see, a total hardness value of 185.1 mg/L falls into the "Very Hard" category. While this represents the highest mean observed in the study, it indicates that water in Egyptian taps can indeed be significantly hard.
The reference study also noted other water quality parameters, such as:
- Chlorides: Highest means reached 65.96 in winter.
- Total Alkalinity: Mean values ranged from 122.3 to 138.7 across different seasons (winter: 133.9, spring: 127.1, summer: 122.3, autumn: 138.7).
These values, particularly the total hardness figure of 185.1 mg/L, confirm that water in parts of Egypt is hard.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the source: Monitoring Water Quality Parameters in Egyptian Tap Water.
