Calcium and water quality

Calcium salts and calcium ions are among the most commonly occurring ions in nature. They may result from the leaching of soil and other natural sources, or may come from man-made sources such as sewage and some industrial wastes. Calcium is usually one of the most important contributors to hardness. Even though the human body requires approximately 0.7 to 2.0 grams of calcium per day as a food element, excessive amounts can lead to the formation of kidney or gallbladder stones. High concentrations of calcium can also be detrimental to some industrial processes. Thus, both domestic and industrial water users have to consider calcium concentrations. Calcium also serves an important role in the health of bodies of water. In natural water, it is known to reduce the toxicity of many chemical compounds on fish and other aquatic life.