How can temporary hardness be removed from water?

Temporary hardness in water is primarily due to the presence of dissolved bicarbonate minerals, which can be precipitated out or converted into less soluble forms through heat. When the water is heated, the bicarbonate ions decompose, leading to the formation of carbonate ions, which can precipitate out as solid calcium carbonate, thereby reducing the hardness.

Additionally, using an ion-exchange water softener is another effective method for removing temporary hardness. This process involves exchanging calcium and magnesium ions in the water with sodium ions, effectively softening the water. Both of these methods directly address the chemical nature of temporary hardness, making them suitable and widely used solutions.

While adding more chemicals could potentially address hardness, it is not a practical or efficient method specifically tailored to remove temporary hardness. Similarly, replacing the water might dilute the hardness but does not directly eliminate the problem. Boiling alone is not sufficient for permanent hardness and does not provide a comprehensive solution like the combination of heat and ion-exchange methods.