The pH balance of your water indicates the level of acidity or alkalinity. The measurement scale is from zero to fourteen and indicates the number of hydrogen ions compared to hydroxide ions.

A level of seven indicates that the number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions is equal, and the water is classed as neutral. Acidic water has a level of 0-6 due to having more hydrogen ions, while alkaline water has more hydroxide ions and a range of 8-14. An acceptable level for drinking water is normally considered to be 6.5-8.5, and the more the pH scale diverges from seven, the more acidic or alkaline it is considered to be.

Why You Should Test the pH Balance

Pure water is generally accepted to be true neutral with a pH scale of seven. Your water’s pH rating determines what can exist in the water. These may be nutrients and heavy metals that can be beneficial or harmful to you and your family, so it’s important to know what is present.

Alkaline water is usually considered safe to drink and is thought by some to have many health benefits that include improved hydration, a boosted immune system, and reduced blood pressure. It’s important to note, however, that these claims are not scientifically proven.

Nevertheless, you should not drink too much alkaline water since an excess can cause gastrointestinal problems. Alkaline water can also irritate skin, causing dryness and itchiness, so a balance between acidity and alkalinity is better for those with sensitive skin.

Other possible problems from alkaline water include a build-up of limescale that can clog appliances so they work less efficiently and pipes, so water flow decreases. The water may have a bitter taste, sometimes as though it has been carbonated.

Acidic water, where the pH level is below 6.5, can cause several problems:

poor bone health
a metallic flavor in drinking water that can also affect food cooked in it
rust stains on metal fittings and blue stains in sinks and bathtubs
magnesium deficiency
heavy metals, such as copper and lead, which are often present in acidic water because they dissolve more easily, can cause poisoning, including from arsenic
damage to tooth enamel and increased risk of cavities
corrosion of pipes that can cause metal poisoning, leading to diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.

How to Check the pH of Water

There are various water pH testing methods, and these are all different in terms of cost, speed, accuracy, and completeness:

A laboratory test is the most accurate pH test for home water and requires a sample to be sent away for analysis. This will also be the most comprehensive option, testing for various contaminants as well, and should provide a full report with personal recommendations, but it will be the most costly and will take the longest to obtain results.
A pH test kit for water may include test strips that are dipped into the water and will change color after a few seconds. You can then compare the color to a supplied chart to see the true level.
Litmus papers are a basic method for testing and will simply turn red if dipped in acidic water, become blue for alkalinity, or remain unchanged if the water is neutral. They are cheap and easily available but give no real indication of the extent of acidity or alkalinity.
pH meters are probably the most accurate way to test water for pH levels yourself. These devices comprise a pH probe and a separate meter. They are easy to use; you simply immerse the probe in the water, wait for the reading to stabilize, and make a note of the reading. To check the reading, test the water a few times, and calculate the average level.To be sure you achieve accurate readings, clean the probe with deionized water, ensure the container for the water sample is clean, and calibrate the meter against known pH standard solutions by following the supplied instructions. Also, only use probes that are within their expiry date, store everything as directed, and replace low batteries. Readings can be affected by temperature — a lower pH reading at higher temperatures and vice versa — so a probe with automatic temperature compensation will help with accuracy.
Red cabbage can be cut into small pieces, boiled in water, and used to produce a dark blue liquid that can be added in small volumes to a water sample. The liquid turning red will indicate acidic water, while a green color means alkalinity. As for the litmus test, this is a broad test that will not be entirely accurate, but it at least gives some indication and determines if more detailed testing is necessary.

What to do About Water that is not Neutral pH

If your water is acidic or alkaline, it is not usually a huge concern and does not require urgent attention. However, acidic water is the biggest problem and may be partly due to the presence of calcium and magnesium, which can cause your water to be hard.

The best solution may be to install a whole-house water filtration system that includes filters that are designed to neutralize acidic water. You may also include a water softener that will remove minerals such as magnesium and calcium. This could well restore your pH level to neutral and will also produce other benefits:

your water will smell and taste better
soap and detergents will become more effective, with more suds and less unsightly soap scum on surfaces
water will flow better through pipes since there will be no build-up of limescale, and appliances will work better with reduced repair bills for the same reason
energy costs will be lower due to appliances being more efficient.

If you are still not sure what to do, contact Aqua Clear Water Systems for advice. Our products and services produce water that is better and purer for all purposes.