With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.

Many homeowners have given no thought to pH levels since their high school chemistry class, but they really should. The pH level of your home’s water supply and whether it is acidic or alkaline can actually have huge impact on your plumbing, appliances, and the quality of your drinking water.

The pH level of a solution measures its level of acidity or alkalinity. It is a reflection of the hydrogen ion activity within the solution, with the pH scale assigning a number between the range of zero to 14 for reference. The mid-point of the scale denotes neutral solutions. A pH level less than seven means that the solution is acidic, while a score above seven indicates alkalinity.

The Impact of pH on Water Supplies

Generally, ground water systems have a pH level between 6 and 8.5, while surface water systems are between 6.5 and 8.5. This may seem inconsequential, but the level of pH can have a significant effect on the potential corrosiveness of your water supply.

Pure water ranks at 7 on the pH scale when it is at a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when it is exposed to the chemicals in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide, the pH level can be reduced to an approximate level of 5.2. Low pH water may be naturally soft, corrosive, and acidic. These qualities can leach out metal ions including copper, iron, lead, zinc, and manganese from the piping, plumbing features, and aquifer. As a result, the presence of toxic metals within the water supply may increase and cause premature damage to the pipe systems within the home. This type of water typically features a metallic taste, and can even stain laundry and bathroom fixtures.

pH Levels and Drinking Water

Many believe there are benefits to drinking alkaline water. This type of water, which has a pH level above 7, has been suggested to improve the pH level within the human body, encouraging toxins to be expelled. However, the digestive fluids within the stomach are highly acidic, ultimately neutralizing any significant alkalinity within your drinking water.

On the other hand, purified reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water has a neutral pH level of 7, so long as there are no other ions involved. For example, if RO water is exposed to air, carbon dioxide will dissolve into water, causing it to become acidic.

That said, reverse osmosis water contains almost no traces of dissolved solids, making it a more pure source of water. This type of water is so pure that even the smallest amount of acid or alkaline can impact its pH level. As a result, reverse osmosis drinking water is very sensitive to the body, allowing it to be digested with ease.

If you notice odd marks or staining on your bathroom fixtures, drains, or laundry, it is possible that your water supply is not at an optimum pH level. Should this be the case, you should have the pH level of your water supply tested. You may also need to consider some form of water treatment such as an acid neutralizer to negate any potential harmful effects. Be sure to consult with a certified water treatment specialist to ensure your home water supply is restored to optimal condition.