2. Natural Treasures of Europe
European Comission
One Earth to protect
Janez Potočnik is the Member of the
EC in charge of Environment
I´m water
3. Natural Treasures of Europe
Drinking water
(superficial fresh waters, fresh groundwater,
table water and supply waters …)
Water categories
4. Natural Treasures of Europe
pH
Hardness
Alkalinity
(free) carbon dioxide
Chloride ions
Organic matter
Mineralization
….
Chemical parameters:
5. Natural Treasures of Europe
Hardness of water
Characteristic related with the presence of calcium and magnesium cations.
Temporary hardness – due to the presence of calcium and magnesium
hydrogen carbonates . (can be eliminated by boiling the water)
Ca(HCO3)2 (aq) CO2 (g) + CaCO3 (s) + H2O (g)
Permanent hardness – due to the presence of sulfates, chloride ions or
other salts ( calcium and magnesium ) which don’t decompose by heating.
Total hardness – it considers the effect of all magnesium and calcium salts.
6. Natural Treasures of Europe
..
Água Serra do Gerês
Àgua do Rio Cávado
..
Água do Luso- cruzeiro
Água da serra de Monchique
Soft waterSoft water
Hard water
Hard water
Medium hard water
Water hardness in Portugal (continent)
7. Natural Treasures of Europe
unit Symbol equivalency
American degree USº 1 USº = 1 ppm CaCO3= 1mg/ L CaCO3
German degree ºG 1 ºG = 10 mg/ L CaO
French degree ºF 1 ºF = 10 mg / L CaCO3
Water hardness can be expressed in several units
Paiva et al. (2004).11Q-Química A, Texto Editora
8. Natural Treasures of Europe
Classification of water hardness :
Levels of water hardness Total hardness
( mg / L de CaCO3
soft Below 75
Moderately hard From 75 to 150
Hard From 150 to 300
Very hard Over 300
Paiva et al. (2004).11Q-Química A, Texto Editora
9. Natural Treasures of Europe
Some signs of Hard Water in our homes
Increased difficulty in laundering tasks
Decreased efficiency of water heaters
Soap scum on bathtubs…
Accumulation of deposits in tubes, pans …
http://www.glendalewaterandpower.com/residents/water_hardness.aspx
11. Natural Treasures of Europe
In Gerês, Fastio is the most famous spring water, known
since the beginning of the 20th century for its diuretic and
digestive properties, which are due to hypo salinity (low
content of mineral salts), high content of silica and a
slightly sweet and acid flavour.
The unique characteristics of the Fastio Waters are a
result of the fact that it circulates in deep profundity,
through the so called Terras de Bouro Granite, before it
springs out naturally. This type of granite is exclusive of
this rainy and mountainous part of Portugal. This
singularity was recognized because it only exists in the
Peneda - Gerês National Park
Report on mineral natural waters and spring waters
12. Natural Treasures of Europe
http://www.dct.uminho.pt/pnpg/geol/hidrografia/redehidro.html
Hydrographic Net in Gerês
