(Inorganic)
Alkalinity is a measure of the resistance of the water to the effects of acids added to water. The recommended operational range for alkalinity in coagulant-treated drinking water is 30 to 500 mg/L expressed as calcium carbonate. Alkalinity over 30 mg/L assists floc formation during the coagulation process. In some circumstances chemicals must be added to boost alkalinity before addition of a coagulant. Water with low alkalinity may tend to accelerate natural corrosion leading to “red water” problems whereas high alkalinity waters may produce scale incrustations on utensils, service pipes and water heaters. Water treatment processes, which do not use a coagulant generally, do not require alkalinity measurement or adjustment.