A process and an apparatus are described for treating seven types of saline waters each having a concentration of total dissolved solids exceeding 1 g/L, wherein the concentration of total dissolved solids, the ratio of the chloride ion concentration to the bicarbonate ion concentration and the ratio of the chloride ion concentration to the sulphate ion concentration of each of the water types are as indicated in Table 1. The process includes the steps of contacting the water with a first reagent comprising a source of calcium ions selected from calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide to form a first solid product which is recovered. The process includes a further step of subjecting at least a portion of the partially processed water to at least partial evaporation so as to promote the formation of a precipitate and a mother liquor. The precipitate is recovered as a second product.