pH in Your Water: What Is It?
When getting water from the faucet or fridge, you’re likely not pondering the pH levels you’ll be consuming—you’re just thirsty! Regardless of how infrequently we think about it, pH is an important measurement in water. Alamo Water Softeners looks at pH in your water and explains what it is.
What Is pH?
Measurements of pH levels check the electrically charged particles in your water, indicating how acidic or basic it is. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with a 7 pH considered neutral. The scale is broken down with the following details.
- Water with a pH lower than 7 is acidic. Acidic substances usually have a pH of 0, such as battery acid.
- Water with a pH at or above 8 is declared alkaline water. Alkaline substances, such as lye, contain a pH balance of 14.
- Pure water has a pH of 7. It has neither acidic nor basic qualities.
Now that you’re aware of the pH scale increments, you may be wondering why they matter and what your drinking water’s pH should be. Read on to discover what pH is recommended in quality drinking water.
What pH Should My Water Have?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the quality of public drinking water across the US. Because pH is an aesthetic feature of water, it typically does not influence drinking water safety. Aesthetic factors of water include:
- Taste
- Odor
- Color
- Turbidity
- Temperature
- Hardness/Softness
Still, the EPA recommends that drinking water suppliers keep the pH of their water between 6.5 and 8.5.
What Does a Changing or Unsafe pH Mean?
When the pH in your water falls outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 pH range, it isn’t necessarily unsafe. What it is, however, is detrimental to water fixtures, and it can be especially distasteful. Water with a pH lower than 6.5 can corrode metal pipes and is more likely to be contaminated with unhealthy pollutants, which should be tested for separately.
Since a changing pH may indicate pollutants, most municipal water suppliers check their water’s pH with some frequency. If contaminants are present, suppliers will then treat the water as needed to ensure it’s safe to drink again.
Monitoring the pH in Your Home’s Water System
If funky tasting or smelling water leads you to believe your home’s water is either too acidic or basic, consider upgrading your filtration system. At Alamo Water Softeners, we strive to provide our customers with the purest at-home drinking water. We offer the best value for the highest quality water treatment in San Antonio. Contact us to learn more today!
