If the pH of a solution is more than 7, we say that it has a high pH, and sometimes people call it alkaline water. This makes it more basic or alkaline than neutral water, with a pH of 7. Despite a lack of solid scientific proof, alkaline water has become increasingly popular in recent years. This is because of the numerous health claims linked to it.
Compared to plain, regular faucet water, alkaline water has a noticeably higher concentration of alkaline minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Many attribute its alkalinity and perhaps medicinal properties to these minerals.
Here’s what you need to know about high pH.
Water with a high pH, often known as alkaline water, is generally considered safe to drink in moderation. But there are a couple of things to think about:
Hidden Health Conditions
If you have acid reflux, kidney disease, or any other medical condition that could worsen because of drinking alkaline water, you should talk to your doctor before you drink it.
Health Claims
Drinking alkaline water can help with many health issues. This includes dehydration, cancer prevention, and detoxification. Despite these assertions, the scientific data supporting them could be more precise and often ambiguous.
Mineral Content
Alkaline water commonly contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Their consumption can help increase mineral intake. It is not advisable to get minerals from alkaline water alone; a balanced diet is the best way to do it.
pH Level
You can use the pH scale to measure the alkalinity or acidity, with 7 representing neutrality. If the pH of water exceeds 7, it is considered alkaline. The pH range for most municipal water supplies is 6.5 to 8.5. A pH of 8 or more is usual for alkaline water.
What is pH of water?
At a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the pH of pure water is commonly believed to be 7. Pollutants, gases, and dissolved minerals are just a few of the factors that can affect the pH of water from natural sources.
The normal pH of water?
Water has a pH of around 7, meaning it is neutral and contains no alkaline or acid. Keep in mind that factors like environmental conditions, dissolved substances, and temperature can cause water’s pH to change.
Why is the pH of water important?
A number of factors contribute to the importance of the pH of water, including:
- Environmental Monitoring
Monitoring the pH of natural water bodies is crucial to evaluate environmental health and identify pollution. Pollutants like acidic agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, or acid rain can damage aquatic habitats and the people who live in them when pH levels change.
Corrosion
How quickly metals corrode depends on the water’s pH. Water with extremely low acidic or high pH alkaline levels can damage infrastructure, industrial equipment, and plumbing systems, speeding up corrosion.
- Chemical Reactions
There are a lot of chemical reactions that are dependent on pH, especially those that involve acids and bases specifically. Industries like wastewater treatment, manufacturing, and agriculture rely on accurate pH measurements to regulate chemical processes.
- Drinking Water Quality
It is necessary to adjust the pH of drinking water since it has the potential to influence several aspects. This includes the efficiency of water treatment processes, pipe corrosion, and taste. It is also dangerous for humans to drink water with a low or high pH.
- Biological Systems
Aquatic environments and the human body are among the many biological systems that rely on pH. Different pH levels can interfere with biological processes. This is because organisms have evolved to work within specified pH ranges. Extremely acidic or basic pH values negatively impact the integrity of biological membranes, the availability of nutrients, and the activity of enzymes. This, in turn, harms aquatic life.
Water’s pH affects several aspects of environmental health, including corrosion, biological processes, drinking water quality, and chemical reactions. The proper operation of numerous industrial processes, human health protection, and ecosystem maintenance depend on monitoring and adjusting water pH.
Best pH for drinking water
Water with a 6.5 and 8.5 pH value is generally considered safe. Water within this range is safe for human consumption since it lacks the potentially dangerous acidity and alkalinity. Water outside this pH range could corrode pipes, have an unpleasant flavor, or even harm your health if you drink it often. Personal preferences and regional rules might cause the safe pH range for human consumption to differ somewhat. Talk to the people in charge of your water system in your area, or get water testing done if you’re worried about the pH level of the water you drink.
What happens if the pH level is high in water?
The more basic or alkaline the water, the higher its pH. When water has a high pH, it can cause the following problems:
Decreased Effectiveness of Disinfection
Water with a high pH can make disinfection methods like chlorination less effective. There is a higher probability of contracting a water-related illness in areas with acidic water. This is because disinfectants may not be effective against these microorganisms.
Taste and Odor
Some people find that water with a high pH smells bad and has a soapy or bitter taste. People may drink less water as a result of this since it makes the water taste bad.
Irritation of the Eyes and Skin
Eye and skin irritation can be due to water with a high pH. This is because eye and skin discomfort, itching, and dryness can result from an imbalance in pH that alkaline water can throw off.
Effect on Aquatic Life
Fish and other aquatic creatures are especially vulnerable to the effects of high pH levels. This is because of their sensitivity to these changes. In extreme circumstances, alkaline water can kill aquatic organisms by upsetting their internal pH equilibrium. This causes stress, decreased reproductive rates, and other negative effects.
Corrosion
Equipment and pipes made of metal are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to water with a high pH. Damage to infrastructure and plumbing systems can result from dissolved metals like zinc, copper, and iron in alkaline water.
Whether it’s for aquatic habitats, industrial processes, drinking, or agriculture, it’s crucial to monitor and alter the pH levels of water. This will ensure they fall within the appropriate range.
What brings about high pH in water?
High pH (alkalinity) in water can be due to multiple things:
- Natural Processes
Specific biological processes, such as the decomposition of organic matter or photosynthesis in aquatic plants, can also affect the pH of the water.
- Natural Sources
Because of the prevalence of alkaline minerals in rocks and soil, groundwater sources in some geological locations may have an inherently high pH.
- Agricultural Practices
Agricultural operations that involve calcium hydroxide or other alkaline compounds can cause leaching or runoff to raise the pH levels of neighboring water sources.
- Anthropogenic Activities
Alkaline substances can enter water bodies through human activities, including inappropriate waste disposal, industrial effluents, and mining, which can raise their pH values.
- Water Treatment
The addition of alkaline chemicals and lime softening for corrosion control are two examples of water treatment methods that might unintentionally raise the pH of water.
- Alkaline Minerals
When minerals like bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium, and potassium are present in significant concentrations, water can take on an alkaline pH. When exposed to water, certain minerals in the soil and rocks might disintegrate.
- Concrete Infrastructure
The leaching of lime from concrete structures can cause water that comes into contact with them, like storage tanks or pipes, to turn acidic.
Water with a high pH can negatively impact the efficiency of water treatment systems, aquatic life’s health, and infrastructure’s longevity. Monitoring and maintaining pH levels are necessary to guarantee that water is suitable for many uses, including industry, farming, and drinking.
How to neutralize high pH in water
Adding acidic substances to the water to neutralize its high pH is common. Here are a number of approaches:
Calcium Carbonate Addition
When the water’s pH is too high, it may be necessary to add calcium carbonate to bring it down to a more normal level. This procedure can increase water hardness, but it may not be appropriate in all cases.
CO2 Injection
One way to make water more acidic is to inject it with CO2. The formation of carbonic acid lowers the pH. Water treatment processes on a grand scale frequently employ this technique.
Aeration
Aerated water introduces oxygen and air into the system. This reduces the pH by releasing CO2. While this method may be helpful for small modifications, it is typically slower and less effective than adding acid directly.
Acidic Chemicals
One way to reduce water’s pH is to add acidic substances to it directly. Acidic compounds include phosphoric acid, lemon juice (citric acid), and vinegar (acetic acid). These approaches may or may not work, and their viability for use on a grand scale is debatable.
Acid Injection
Injecting acid into the water is a typical technique. A chemical feed pump can accomplish this. Citric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid are common acids utilized for this purpose. The difference between the starting and target pH levels determines the amount of acid required.
Ion Exchange
One way to lower the pH of water is to employ ion-exchange resins to remove alkaline ions. Typically, this process softens water, but it can also be useful for adjusting pH levels.
Testing the water’s current pH level is necessary before neutralizing its pH. Additionally, monitoring the pH during treatment is crucial to achieve the desired outcome. Always use protective gear while working with acids or other chemicals. For more complicated or large-scale problems, it would be best to get a professional’s opinion.
Conclusion
Most people can safely drink high-pH water in moderation as long as it’s part of a well-balanced diet. It is important to stay hydrated and get enough minerals from a variety of sources, but be wary of overstated health claims. Talking to a doctor is the best course of action whenever you have questions or concerns about your health.