COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON HARDNESS CONCENTRATIONS IN GROUNDWATER SUPPLY FROM ABAKALIKI, IKWO AND ISHIELU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIAJOSEPH N. AFIUKWAAbstract The level of hardness in groundwater supplies from boreholes in Abakaliki Urban, Ikwo and Ishielu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State comprising 30 water samples were analyzed for total, permanent, temporary, calcium and magnesium hardness concentrations using EDTA complexometric titration Method. The results of the analyses of all the water samples across the three Local Government Areas indicated an average total hardness of 351.55 + 11.0 ranging from192.19 492.5 mg/LCaCO3 for Ikwo, 326.7+10.0 ranging from 124 426 mg/LCaCO3 for Abakaliki and 225.12 + 10 .27 ranging from 130 - 430 mg/LCaCO3 for Ishielu. The results obtained for calcium hardness were more than five times those for magnesium hardness. The temporary hardness also indicated higher values than the permanent hardness. The results obtained for the total and calcium hardness in all the samples exceeded the WHO and U.S EPA reference standards for drinking water and for industrial or agricultural uses. The study also discussed the health and economic impact of hard or soft water.
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