What is the pH of water? What is a good pH for drinking water?
1. What is the pH of water?
1.1. Concept
pH (pondus hydrogenii) is an index that shows the activity of hydrogen ions (H+) in water to determine the acidity/base level of water in the range from 0 to 14. Specifically:
- If the amount of H+ ions in water is high, pH < 7: Water is acidic.
- If the amount of H+ ions is low, pH >7: Water is basic.
- If the amount of H+ ions is balanced with the amount of hydroxide (OH-), the pH = 7: Neutral water.
1.2. The meaning of water pH
High or low pH of water affects human health. Understanding the pH of water will be the basis for adjusting the water source to ensure health. The pH scale of water is as follows:
- pH 3.5 - 5.5: Acidic water, should only be used for disinfection, cleaning, sterilization...
- pH 7.0: Neutral water, can be used for daily cooking, making milk, taking medicine
- pH 8.0 - 11.5: Alkaline water, can be used for drinking directly, cooking, mixing drinks, and soaking vegetables and fruits.
In general, alkaline water is a healthy source of water and is recommended for daily use. However, users should avoid drinking water with a pH >10 and strong alkalinity, either directly or indirectly, to avoid overloading the kidneys. Here is information about the pH of some common water sources:
- Boiled water: Usually has a pH of about 7.5. However, this water source is not completely pure because it still contains many impurities that cannot be removed by normal heat.
- Purified water: Has a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and has impurities, bacteria, etc. removed through modern filtration systems.
- Domestic water: According to the Ministry of Health, domestic water will have a pH from 6.0 to 8.5. This water source can be used for drinking as well as for personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, etc.
Knowing the pH of water helps users divide the appropriate usage purposes.
2. Methods of measuring pH of drinking water
The pH of water has a significant impact on human health. Therefore, users should test the pH of water in one of the following ways:
- Using litmus paper: Just put water in a small cup and dip litmus paper in and wait about 1 - 2 minutes to read the result.
- Using a test strip: You dip the test strip into water and wait a few minutes, then compare it to the pH scale to read the result. This method is more accurate than litmus paper.
- Using a pH meter: The user places the electrode tip of the meter into the water source, 3cm away from the mineral and waits for 10 - 15 seconds to read the result on the screen.
Display color The display on the measurement result will indicate the acidity, alkalinity or neutrality of the water.
3. What is a good pH level for drinking water?
Water is one of the important components for the human body. Therefore, determining the pH level in water will help you know the safety of the drinking water source. This also helps avoid the risks of dangerous diseases caused by polluted water.
According to WHO recommendations , we should use water with pH from 6.5 to 9.5 to bring the following benefits:
- The body is always healthy and full of energy: Using water with standard pH supports the development and metabolism process, helping the body stay healthy and full of energy.
- Slows down the aging process: Using water with a high pH helps create an alkaline environment while providing a large amount of hydrogen, which helps neutralize free radicals, balance the internal environment, and keep the body young.
- Preventing and supporting the treatment of many diseases: High pH helps neutralize excess acid, eliminate toxic substances and supplement essential nutrients. In addition, this water source has antioxidant properties that help increase resistance, prevent and support the treatment of some diseases such as: Diabetes, cancer, digestive diseases, skin diseases, ...
In addition, according to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA , you should not use drinking water with a pH level below 6.5, either directly or indirectly, to avoid creating excess acid that affects your health and causes diseases such as: Stomach and intestinal diseases, diabetes, cancer, etc.
Alkaline water (pH.8.0) contains many minerals that are good for the body.
4. How to improve pH in water
4.1. Neutralization method
Users will add alkaline substances such as sodium bicarbonate and calcium hydroxide to the water to cause metal salts to settle to the bottom and be completely removed from the water source. This process both helps increase the pH to a safe threshold and provides cleaner water.
Neutralization not only improves water quality but also reduces corrosion on pipes and equipment. However, neutralization pits can become clogged with dirt and gradually lose their capacity. Therefore, users should check and replenish periodically after about 5 - 10 years.
Installing a neutralization tank takes up a lot of space and is expensive.
4.2. Use beads to increase pH in water
The method of using natural materials to raise/lower pH is quite safe, low cost and the water source can be stabilized for about 6 months - 1 year. However, this method cannot balance the pH of water sources with pH lower than 4 nor can it raise the pH above over 7.5.
To do this, users need to line a layer of pH-raising/reducing granules about 0.5 - 1m thick on top of the filter tank/filter basin, then lead water into the tank and leave it for 2 - 3 days. After that, you measure the pH concentration again. If it meets the standard, it can be used.
Although this method can effectively increase the pH, the pH-raising beads will wear out after a period of use. Therefore, users need to replace them periodically every 6-12 months to ensure filtration efficiency.
pH raising beads are cheap and easy to find.
4.3. Precipitation method
The precipitation method uses chemicals such as lime or alkaline salts to add to water to form insoluble precipitates. The precipitates are then removed to obtain clean water with a higher pH.
Although this method is simple, it cannot completely treat water sources with strong acidity. In addition, when there is a complexing agent with hydroxide in the water source, the treatment efficiency is also reduced.
The precipitates settle to the bottom and clean water is collected above.
4.4. Using Hydrogen alkaline ion RO water purifier
RO alkaline ion water purifier not only removes impurities, bacteria, toxins, heavy metals but is also equipped with electrolysis technology to create natural alkaline ion water, providing a source of water rich in minerals, with high antioxidant properties that are good for human health.
Using a hydrogen alkaline water ionizer is a method to provide pure water, balance the pH in water quickly, safely, effectively, easily implemented and save costs in the long run.
Customers can refer to some of Mutosi's hydrogen alkaline ion water purifier models including: MP-P89K , MP-T888 , MP-S109H ,... Water after the RO filtration system removes 13 + 6 toxic substances according to Japanese standards JIS S3201 & JWPA. The product is integrated with RO filter membranes with ultra-small filter membranes to help remove 99.9% of bacteria, the water after filtration becomes pure, meeting the QCVN 6-1:2010/BYT standards for direct drinking water.
Mutosi alkaline ionized water purifier has a modern, compact design.
In addition, Mutosi Hydrogen Alkaline Water Purifier helps create a source of water rich in hydrogen alkaline ions with an ideal balance index: pH 8.0 - 9.5, ORP -325 to -600mV, hydrogen 650 - 1200ppb, bringing many healthy living benefits. Using alkaline ionized water every day helps increase resistance, slow down the aging process and protect health from many chronic diseases.
Understanding the meaning and how to balance the pH of water is important for everyone to care about to protect themselves and their families. In addition, using alkaline ionized water with a standard pH through Alkaline ionized water filter is an effective solution to help increase resistance and improve health according to Japanese standards.
To refer to Mutosi's alkaline ionized water purifier lines, please visit the website Mutosi.com or contact hotline 1900.636.595 for quick support!
