Final answer:
Hard water is falsefully named due to its mineral content of calcium and magnesium, not because of its pH level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that hard water is so named because it has an alkaline pH is false. Hard water is called 'hard' because it contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium ions, not because of its pH level. The presence of these minerals is what leads to the challenges associated with hard water, such as interference with soap's ability to foam and the buildup of scale in plumbing systems.