Abstract
Water softening for municipal water supplies is not widely practiced in
Australia and as such the technology involved is not widely known.
This report investigates the current practice of municipal water
softening. Methods of softening are considered and their relative
merits examined. Attention is focused on the lime soda softening
process as it remains the most widely used softening process for
municipal water treatment. The chemistry of the carbonic acid system is
also examined as it plays a dominant role in the lime soda softening
process.
Water softening for municipal water supply is currently carried out at
the MuswelIbrook Water Treatment Plant. The design and operation of
this plant is examined and options for improving and uprating the plant
throughput are considered.