How can hardness in water be removed?

The underside of a bathroom tap coated in white and discoloured limescale deposits

Source: © Getty Images

Investigate the effects of three treatments for softening hard water in this class practical and demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students observe as the teacher prepares temporarily hard water by bubbling carbon dioxide through limewater. This water is then boiled to leave a solid residue, which can then be tested using hydrochloric acid, before boiling a sample of permanently hard water for comparison. 

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