8 Most Effective Ways to Treat Calcium-Contaminated Water Sources Today

Detecting Calcium Contamination in Water

Water contaminated with calcium, also known as limescale contamination, is a common issue in household water sources, especially in areas near limestone mountains. You can easily spot them at the bottom of kettles, faucets, showerheads, etc. If you see white deposits sticking to these objects, then your home's water source is likely contaminated with calcium.

Typical hazards of water contaminated with calcium include:

• Clogging water pipes.
• Household appliances and utensils becoming discolored, stained, damaged, especially those made of ceramics will be significantly damaged.
• Water heaters, washing machine drums getting clogged and quickly damaged.
• Causing dry skin and brittle hair.
• Significantly impacting human health.

Methods for Treating Calcium-Contaminated Water

Ion Exchange Method

The ion exchange method is widely used to treat water contaminated with calcium. This method involves using a resin containing Na+ and another type of ion placed inside a filter column, then passing the calcium-contaminated water through it. These ions will bind with Ca2+ and Mg2+, with Na+ retaining these two substances in the filter column while dissolving into the water.

The system using the ion exchange method for treating calcium-contaminated water has a simple and compact design. Therefore, you can easily use and place them in various spaces. This device has high filtration capacity and many outstanding advantages, so this method is being preferred and used extensively.

Using Filtration Tanks

For factories or industrial areas, multi-layer calcium filtration tanks can be used. The calcium-contaminated water will be pumped into a pipe system with many small holes, falling like rainwater. The purpose of this operation is to allow the water to come into contact with air and absorb oxygen.

Next, on the second layer, a layer of sand needs to be installed on top so that the water from the first layer can fall down. The third layer will stack small stones to filter water more effectively. Through this third layer, the water will be clearer. Next, the fourth layer, you should use activated carbon, and the final layer is a layer of fine gravel. Through this layered filtration tank, the calcium content will be completely removed while providing clarity to the water.

However, for this method, after 5 - 6 months of use, you should replace the filter material once to achieve better filtration efficiency.

Using Whole-House Filtration Systems

Whole-house filtration systems will be connected to all water pipes in your home, thus protecting all household items from being damaged by calcium.

These whole-house filtration systems are produced with many advanced and modern technologies, providing high water filtration efficiency.

The filtration process goes through the following steps:

• Heavy metal treatment filter column: In this process, under the action of filter materials, it helps remove suspended solids, impurities. Next, the water will be transported to an activated carbon filter device.
• Carbon treatment filter column: In this filter column, water will be deodorized, decolorized, and taste improved, as well as removing oxidizing substances and organic matter. At the same time, it helps protect the subsequent filtration process to operate more effectively.

Using Vinegar or Lemon Juice

There is a very effective method for treating calcium-contaminated water right at home, which is using lemon juice or vinegar. Although this is a traditional method passed down, for households, this is a quick, immediate, and cost-effective method.

The main component of vinegar is acetic acid, which has excellent cleaning properties. You just need to prepare some vinegar or lemon juice and mix it with water. Just wait for a day and separate the water on top for use.

However, this method is only a temporary solution and does not completely eliminate the excess calcium in the water. Additionally, you will spend a lot of time to get a large amount of water to meet your family's needs.

Boiling Water to Remove Calcium

This is also a method you can use at home. When boiling water, dissolved substances in the water will precipitate, especially calcium. Then, what you need to do is wait for this calcium to settle at the bottom and take the water from the top for use.

However, this is not a method that completely filters out calcium in the water. Furthermore, you will also need to spend quite a bit of time on this method.

Using Electromagnetic Fields

Using electromagnetic fields to remove calcium in water is a relatively new method in the industry. Factories or manufacturing facilities will use direct current to act on calcium-contaminated water.

Under the influence of the electric current, the Ca+ and Mg+ ions will be deactivated. This will prevent these substances from recombining and forming salts.

Using Chemicals

Another method to address the issue of calcium-contaminated water in the industry is to use chemicals. We need to use chemicals such as NaOH, Na2CO3, Na3PO4, to soften the water and create precipitation of Ca2+, Mg2+. To achieve the best results, we need to carefully calculate the amount of chemicals used.

Although this method is more difficult and complex than manual methods, the effectiveness will be higher and save more time.

Using Specialized Filtration Machines

In the industry, in addition to using chemicals, factories also invest in building and installing specialized filtration machines. These machines use modern and advanced filtration technologies. This will provide clean, standard water and ensure safety during use. Especially, it will save time in the process of removing calcium.

The most typical and effective filtration technology for water sources in Vietnam is RO technology. This technology allows for the removal of almost all dissolved substances, harmful impurities from water, while retaining essential minerals for the user's body. Currently, there are many water filtration machines using RO filtration technology applied widely not only in industry but also in hospitals, schools, households, etc.

Above are simple methods to help you remove excess calcium in water, providing clean water for you and your family. Hopefully, this information will help you accurately identify the water source that needs treatment and find suitable solutions.