This document discusses the natural treasures of water in Europe, focusing on water sources in Portugal. It provides information on different categories and characteristics of water, including hardness, pH, and mineral content. Specific details are given about the soft water from Serra do Gerês and various levels of hardness in Portuguese waters. The unique properties of the spring water in Fastio, Portugal are highlighted. Maps and information depict the hydrographic network in Gerês including dams, rivers, and treatment facilities that provide water to Braga.

1. Natural Treasures of Europe
Water- from Gerês to our homes

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
Water categories
Drinking water
(superficial fresh waters, fresh groundwater,
table water and supply waters …)

4. Natural Treasures of Europe
Chemical parameters:
pH
Hardness
Alkalinity
(free) carbon dioxide
Chloride ions
Organic matter
Mineralization
….

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) CO 2 (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
Water hardness in Portugal (continent)
..
Água Serra do Gerês
Soft water
Soft water
Àgua do Rio Cávado
Hard water
..
Água do Luso- cruzeiro
Medium hard water
Água da serra de Monchique
Hard water

7. Natural Treasures of Europe
Water hardness can be expressed in several units
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
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

10. Natural Treasures of Europe
water cycle
water cycle

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
Hydrographic Net in Gerês
http://www.dct.uminho.pt/pnpg/geol/hidrografia/redehidro.html

13. Natural Treasures of Europe

14. Natural Treasures of Europe
Hydrographic Net of Gerês: Dams and Rivers

15. Natural Treasures of Europe
Hydrographic Net of Gerês: Homem and Cávado Rivers

16. Natural Treasures of Europe
Treatment of water for domestic use in Braga:
Agere (water treatment plant), Braga

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Agere (water treatment plant), Braga

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http://www.nairobiwater.co.ke/water_quality/?ContentID=5

19. Natural Treasures of Europe
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