Abstract
A study into the use of Moringa oleifera seed extract in the softening of hard water has been carried out with samples from 17 hand‐dug wells in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Of the 17 samples tested, 7 contained calcium and magnesium hardness while 10 contained calcium hardness only. The softening dose of Moringa oleifera varied from 700–2000 mg/l and the required dose increased with initial hardness of the samples. The level of softening was found to be directly proportional to the dose used; and water samples with both calcium and magnesium hardness required more Moringa oleifera than samples with only calcium hardness, to achieve the same level of softening. All samples had hardness reduced to ≤ 200 mg/l CaCO3, the highest desirable concentration of hardness in drinking water recommended by the WHO. The softening mechanism was postulated to be a combination of adsorption and precipitation of the soluble hardness causing ions to insoluble solids/flocs. The adsorption isotherm developed was linear and of the Langmuir type.
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