Alkalinity serves as a buffer, neutralizing acids. It is of no great significance in most situations, but it is a problem in areas like the beverage industry, boiler towers, cooling towers, and the textile industry. Excessive alkalinty, for example, can interfere with dying of textiles and it defeats the acidity of fruit flavors in beverages.

Treatment: Bicarbonate alkalinity can be reduced by aeration, which reduces free carbon dioxide. It can also be treated by feeding acid to lower pH. Strong base Anion exchange also reduces alkalinity.