ABSTRACT
Natural water supplies, either in their raw state or after treatment, contain dissolved mineral matter. Mineral constituents vary greatly in amounts and relative proportions present in various water supplies. Nitrates are usually absent or present only as traces, but there are exceptions, and if appreciable amounts are present, nitrates are determined. Potassium, because it is usually present in such small amounts and is so much like sodium in most of its properties, is usually grouped with the sodiums. Alkalinity can be determined by titration with a standard acid solution, using phenolphthalein and methyl orange as indicators. Calcium carbonate is much less soluble than magnesium carbonate and both of these are much less soluble than sodium carbonate. Iron-bearing waters also favor the growth of iron bacteria, called iron crenothrix. Manganese present as manganous sulfate in acid waters may be removed by neutralization, aeration, and filtration.
