Quantitative Determination of Total Hardness in Drinking Water
by Complexometric EDTA Titration
1. What is the significance of determining the
hardness of water?
Determining water hardness is significant in
households and industries as it measures the quality
of water. In an industrial point of view, it is important
to determine the hardness since ions in water might
precipitate that could lead to clogging of water pipes
and boilers[1].
Reference:
[1] Skoog, D.; West, D.; Holler, F.; Crouch, S.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 2004, 436.
2. What is the classification of hardness of you
water sample (why is it expressed as ppm
CaCO3)?
Our water sample is classified as hard[1]. The water
hardness is expressed in terms of CaCO3 since most
of the hardness are caused by carbonate minerals[2].
Also, its molar mass is approximately equal to 100
g/mol which is convenient to use to express
concentrations in parts per million (ppm).
Reference:
[1] Water Science School Hardness of Water.
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-sc
hool/science/hardness-water?qt-science_center_obje
cts=0#qt-science_center_objects (accessed Oct 23,
2021).
[2] Jircitano, A. J. (n.d.). Determination of the
Hardness of Water [PDF]. Erie, Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania State University- Behrend College.
3. Why is EDTA used as a complexing agent and
titrant?
EDTA is used as a complexing agent and a titrant
because it forms straightforward 1:1 complexes with
ions regardless of the charge. Because of this, EDTA
is one of the most widely used complexing agent as
it could be used to determine numerous metal ion
analyte.[1] Moreover, EDTA is stable and the
conditions of its formation can be ordinarily
controlled so that it is selective for a particular metal
ion.[2]
Reference:
[1] Harris, D. Quantitative Chemical Analysis [Online],
2007.
[2] Skoog, D.; West, D.; Holler, J.; Crouch, S.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 9th ed.;
Brooks/Cole: Belmont, CA, 2014; p 417.
4. Why is EBT used as an indicator? Why are
MgCl2∙6H2O crystals added to the titrant?
EBT is a magnesium ion indicator. Magnesium ions
form the least stable complex with EDTA, thus will be
the last ion left untitrated after all other ions
complexed. This uncomplexed Mg will bind with EBT
that will result to color change signifying the
endpoint of titration[1].
MgCl2∙6H2O is added in order to yield a sharper end
point. Binding of Ca ions with EDTA is slow, so
another metal ion was added to form Mg-EDTA
complex. Ca-EDTA complexes are more stable, thus
Ca ions will replace Mg from the complex[1].
Reference:
[1] Harris, D. Quantitative Chemical Analysis [Online],
2007.
5. What are the pertinent chemical equations
involved during the titration?
The titration follows the equations below[1]. Initially,
EBT reacts with the Mg2+ ions shown by the
equation:
Mg2+ + HIn2- ⇆ MgIn- + H+ (1)
(blue) (wine red)
When EDTA is added, EDTA reacts with the metal
ions to form complexes – removing the metal ions in
the EBT complex – shown by the equations:
Ca2+ + H2Y2- ⇆ CaY2- + 2H+ (2)
Ca2+ + MgY2 ⇆ CaY2- + Mg2+ (3)
Mg2+ + HIn2- ⇆ MgIn- + H+ (4)
MgIn- + H2Y2- ⇆ MgY2- + 2H+ (5)
The endpoint reaction is achieved by combining the
two equations:
2H2Y2- + Ca2+ + Mg2+ → CaY2- + MgY2- + 4H+ (6)
H2Y2- + MgIn- → MgY2- + HIn2- + H+ (7)
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Reference:
[1] Skoog, D.; West, D.; Holler, F.; Crouch, S.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry.

6. What is the relationship of pH and feasibility

of titration using EDTA for cation analysis?

The feasibility of a titration analysis relies on a

satisfactory, distinct, and sharp end point[1]. Sharper
end points are vital for accurate determination. The
sharpness of the endpoint increases as the pH
increases. Also, pH can be used to in the selection of
the metal to be titrated. Metal with higher formation
constant can be titrated at lower pH[2].

Reference:

[1] Standard methods: For the examination of water

and waste- water; American Public Health
Association: Washington, 1980.
[2] Skoog, D.; West, D.; Holler, F.; Crouch, S.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry.

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