The reaction between calcium oxide (quicklime) and water is highly exothermic and produces calcium hydroxide (a strong base), which increases the solution’s pH:
\[\text{CaO (s)} + \text{H}_2\text{O (l)} \rightarrow \text{Ca(OH)}_2 \, + \, \text{heat}.\]
As calcium hydroxide is a base, the pH of the solution is greater than 7.