How Do I Increase The pH of My Acidic Water?

This map shows the levels of pH throughout the United States in 2002. Although there have been fluctuations since that time, the deviation remains the same. This map shows how pH levels vary in different areas of the United States. The pH value is an indicator for acidity, alkalinity, or basic. A pH value of 7 means a substance is neutral. The lower value indicates acidity, and a higher value is a sign of alkalinity.

So, what does pH mean for your drinking water? Basically, the pH value determines whether water is hard or soft. The normal range for pH in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems 6 to 8.5. Alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of the water to resist a change in pH that would tend to make the water more acidic. The measurement of alkalinity and pH is needed to determine how corrosive the water is.

Water with a low pH (< 6.5) has the possibility to be acidic and corrosive. Metal ions in the water such as iron, manganese, copper, and lead could lead to elevated levels of toxic metals. The presence of these metal ions could lead to premature damage to metal piping, as well as present aesthetic problems such as sour taste in your drinking water, staining of laundry, and the tell-tale "blue-green" staining of sinks and drains. Along with the physical characteristics, there are health risks associated with these toxins. The best way to treat the problem of low pH water is with the use of a neutralizer that feeds a solution in to the water to prevent it from corroding your plumbing. Typical neutralizers include a calcite neutralizing solution, as well as soda ash. Neutralizing with soda ash increases the sodium content of the water, which would make an alternative neutralizing solution more viable.

While water with a pH > 8.5 does not pose a health risk, it can cause aesthetic problems. An alkali taste to the water can give your coffee a bitter taste. The deposit on your dishes and washer, as well as difficulty getting soaps and detergents to lather is the result of hard water.

If you are experiencing a low pH in your drinking water then you are in need of an Acid Neutralizer System. We have many units to choose from so please check out our inventory today or contact us for more information.