Can troublesome amounts of alkalinity be effectively removed from water for whole-house treatment?

The assertion that troublesome amounts of alkalinity cannot be effectively removed from water for whole-house treatment is correct. This is due to the inherent nature of alkalinity, which primarily consists of bicarbonate and carbonate ions. These ions play a critical role in maintaining the pH balance of the water, and while various methods can reduce alkalinity, there are no practical solutions that can entirely and reliably remove it for whole-house applications.

Common methods like reverse osmosis or ion exchange can reduce alkalinity, but they may not be feasible or effective for large-scale systems or for household usage due to cost or maintenance concerns. Additionally, chemical treatments might alter the water quality in other ways, leading to potential issues that make them less desirable for whole-house applications.

On the other hand, methods like filtration are more targeted at particulate removal rather than altering the ionic composition of water, meaning they would not address alkalinity directly. Dilution can affect the concentration of alkalinity but does not remove it and is not practical for treating whole-house systems.

Therefore, the conclusion that sentimental removal of alkalinity through practical means is not achievable aligns with the complexities and characteristics of water chemistry, particularly in large-scale applications where maintaining water stability is vital.