“PH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is,” according to the US Geological Survey. The range is 0 to 14, with 7 being the neutral value. Acidity is indicated by a pH less than 7, while a pH greater than 7 indicates a base. “Our bodies usually keep the basic pH level somewhat under control.
When it comes to water consumption, the acidity or alkalinity of the water is unlikely to have an effect on the pH level of the body. While drinking acidic water can harm your health in the long run. However, this happens when acidity reacts with heavy metals that may be present in the water.
One of the most common water purification methods used in home water purification systems is reverse osmosis any misconceptions you may be concerned about the pH of reverse osmosis water will be dispelled in this article.
pH of reverse osmosis water
Toxins, germs, debris, lead, and minerals are removed from tap water using reverse osmosis, a water purification technology. Reverse osmosis water not only has a pH in the desirable range of 5-7, but it also has the highest quality and best taste of any drinking water available. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, water with a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 is considered safe to drink.
Is the water from a reverse osmosis system acidic?
In short, reverse osmosis water is acidic. The pH of reverse osmosis water can be as low as 5, which gives it a distinct taste than you are used to. However, even after all the alkaline minerals have been removed, reverse osmosis water systems are unable to make the water dangerously acidic.
Each number on the pH scale represents a 10-fold increase in acidity or alkalinity over the previous number. It’s a good idea to look at the pH values of other popular drinks to put this in context.
- Lemon juice (pH = 2) + vinegar (pH = 2)
- Orange juice with soda (pH = 3)
- Beer and tomato juice (pH = 4)
- Soft drinking water pH 5 and black coffee
What makes reverse osmosis water acidic?
You may be wondering why reverse osmosis water does not have a neutral pH of 7, given that it is clean, pure water and free of toxins and impurities that may harm your health, such as lead, fluoride, sodium, germs and chemical compounds. However, the acidity of reverse osmosis water is caused by a number of reasons.
Reverse osmosis removes what minerals?
Since reverse osmosis systems are able to remove more than 99.9% of all dissolved solids (TDS) from water, it is not surprising that beneficial mineral is also remove.
Mineral particles such as calcium and magnesium are found in our tap water, which we need for strong and healthy bones and teeth, as well as for controlling blood pressure, muscle and nerve function.
Tap water contains small amounts of salt, potassium, and phosphorous, which are needed to support the heart, maintain fluid balance and influence the growth, repair, and maintenance of cells throughout the body.
Advantages of reverse osmosis water
- Effective filtering
- Free from parasites and bacteria
- Patient friendly
Reverse osmosis water has some drawbacks.
- Blockage
- Replace the filter
- slow process
How do you check the acidity of your reverse osmosis water?
You can measure the acidity of reverse osmosis water using a variety of methods. Although the acidity of reverse osmosis water is not harmful to your health, you should test it to see where it falls on the pH scale. In this section, we will cover the three most reliable methods for determining the acidity level of reverse osmosis water.
pH strips
The pH scale indicates how acidic a liquid is. The lower the value, the more acidic the environment. pH strips are a quick and easy way to find out how acidic your reverse osmosis water is. The pH strip changes colour depending on where it falls on the pH scale when soaked in a liquid.
For the evaluation of reverse osmosis water, pH strips that fall between the 5.5 and 8.5 ranges are ideal. If you buy strips that test all 14 pH levels, it can be difficult to tell the difference between different shades of colour and accurately assess the pH level of your water. Follow these methods to determine the acidity of water using pH strips:
- Use clean glass free of any external contaminants that could interfere with the test.
- Pour reverse osmosis water into the glass.
- Rip the pH strip in half.
- Dip the pH strip in the water for a few seconds.
The length of time you should leave the pH strip in the water depends on the brand. Some strips need immersing for 20 seconds, while others only need to be immersed for 1 second.
Litmus paper
Although litmus paper works similarly to pH strips, it is less accurate. Litmus paper is available in two colours: red and blue, and can only use to determine if your water is acidic or alkaline. To check if reverse osmosis water is acidic, use litmus paper and the instructions below:
- Pour reverse osmosis water into a clean cup.
- Double-check that the water in the container is deep enough to cover the entire sunflower strip.
- Dip the litmus paper test strip in the water for a few seconds.
Moreover, Reverse osmosis water may not register as acidic in this test because litmus paper is not as sensitive as pH strips.
Red cabbage experiment
If you don’t have pH strips or a litmus test kit, you can make a pH indicator using fresh red cabbage and distilled water. The level of dye for everything you collect with it, including reverse osmosis water, will change the colour of the cabbage.
To measure the pH level of your water, use red cabbage and distilled water as follows:
- Grate or mash the cabbage in distilled water.
- Drain the water to get rid of any remaining cabbage pieces.
- Pour reverse water into the drained cabbage liquid.
- Give it a good stir.
However, Water becomes acidic when it turns red.
Final thoughts