Alkalinity in Water

Purpose
Alkalinity represents the capacity of the solution to neutralize an acid and are a measure
of an aggregate property of water. These methods are used for analyzing water with
any amount of alkalinity by titration of the sample with a strong acid. Alkalinity can be
measured using burette, titrator or digital titrator.
This standard method applies to manufacturing facilities.

Procedure

Sample Collection and Preservation

• This procedure is not applicable to carbonated water.
• The sample of analyzed water must not be filtered, diluted, concentrated, or altered
in any way. Collect samples in clean plastic or glass bottles. Fill completely and cap
tightly. Avoid excessive agitation or prolonged exposure to air. Samples should be
analyzed as soon as possible after collection but can be stored for 24 hours to 14
days by cooling to 4°C (39.2°F). Do not open the sample bottle before analysis.
Warm to room temperature before analyzing.
• Titrate the samples at room temperature with a properly calibrated pH meter or
electrically operated titrator.
• Use a sufficient large volume of titrant (20 mL in a 50-mL burette) to obtain good
precision. Preliminary titration is helpful.

Testing Methods
Determination of alkalinity by titration of the water samples with a standard solution of a
strong acid to an electrometrically determined end point:
• Automated titration analysis
• Manual titration using a pH meter
For a detailed procedure, refer to SM-PR-040 - Tests for Alkalinity in Water (WIKI).
1. For alkalinity below 1,000 mg CaCO3/L, use 0.02N titrant (standard acid
solution).

Standard Method SM-PR-040

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 Alkalinity in Water

2. Titrate to pH 4.5. Read and record the total volume of acid used during both
titrations. Calculate total alkalinity:
Total Alkalinity, mg CaCO3/L = (A x N x 50,000)/ (mL sample volume)
o Where:
 A = mL standard acid used
 N = normality of standard acid
o Example:
A 50-mL water sample was taken for analysis and a total of 15.5 mL of
0.02244N standard acid solution was consumed for titration to pH 4.5.
Total Alkalinity in the sample is:
(15.5 x 0.02244 x 50,000) / 50 = 348 mg CaCO3/L

Alternative Test Methods

Determination of alkalinity by titration of water samples with sulfuric acid standard
solution to an end point evidenced by the color change of an indicator solution.
• Manual titration
• Digital Titration

NOTE: Sample turbidity and color may interfere with this method.
Chlorine may interfere with the color indicators. Add one drop of 0.1 N
Sodium Thiosulfate to eliminate this interference.

Accuracy Check
An accuracy check should be performed when interferences are suspected or to
verify analytical technique. Please refer to:
• Calibration method with standard solutions for automatic titrators following the
vendor’s manual.
• Analyze the sample with known alkalinity and use the standard addition
method for manual titration.

Standard Method SM-PR-040

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 Alkalinity in Water

References
SM-PR-040 - Tests for Alkalinity in Water WIKI
Standard Methods 2320 Alkalinity Titration Method, Standard Methods for the
22nd Edition, Examination of Water and
Wastewater. Washington, D.C.:
American Public Health
Association, American Water
Works Association, and Water
Environment Federation, 2012.
APHA/AWWA
Method 973.43 Alkalinity in Water, Titrometric Method, Official Methods of Analysis of
AOAC International, 18th
Edition, 2005. AOAC
International
Hach Water Analysis Handbook Procedures. www.hach.com
International Standard: ISO 9963-1:1994 Water quality ISO 9963-1:1994
-- Determination of alkalinity -- Part 1: Determination of
total and composite alkalinity

Revision History
Revision Date Summary of Change
13-Dec-2013 Updated references

18-Nov-2011 Reformatted to KORE template. Move detail manual or auto-titration

operation to WIKI.

27-Jun-2008 Revised entire procedure. Added use of automatic and manual

titration to an electrometrically determined pH end points. The
equations to calculate the normality of standard acid and the alkalinity
with specific examples were included in the procedure. Added
procedure for digital titration using Hach equipment. Added
interferences, recommendations for sample collection and
preservation, accuracy checks. Added references to Hach
instrumentation and methods and references to published methods.

03-Jun-2001 New document (reformatted after WA-P-021).

Standard Method SM-PR-040

Revision: 13-Dec-2013 Page 3 of 3
Classified - Internal use