Safe pH Levels for Drinking Water: Is 6.5 to 8.5 Really Ideal?

WHO says— 

Any number between 6.5 and 8.5 range is a safe pH level for drinking water. The safest? It’s the lucky number 7! 

Guess what else is unstable apart from your life?

It’s the pH level of your drinking water! 

Stats say—

Over 2 million Americans lack access to clean drinking water at home. [Source: US Mission To the United Nations]

Part of it is because of the imbalance in the pH level of the water. Dive a little down to the underlying issues, you’ll find WATERMONSTERS like PFAS, TDS, chemicals, bacteria, and several impurities. 

All they do is pull the pH level out of the range, affect the water quality, and you end up IN DEEP WATER like–

• Skin irritation
• Health disorders
• Damaged appliances 
• Malfunctioned plumbing system

In this case, you need some tools, techniques, and pros like NJ Water Systems to detect the issue, solve it, and shoo the bad away. 

What is the pH Level in Drinking Water?

A quantitative measure of something’s acidity or basicity!

pH Level in Drinking Water measures how “ACIDIC” or “ALKALINE” your drinking water is. 

It’s short for “potential of Hydrogen”. It focuses on the concentration of hydrogen ions. 

The scale ranges from 0 to 14— with 7 being neutral. That’s where you spot the drinking water. 

It’s easy to identify whether the stuff is acidic, neutral, or basic. You just need a litmus paper. 

Acidic

pH of anything below 7 is acidic. 

Acids taste sour or tart and may sting when touched. 

They react strongly with metals because of electron exchange. The chemical reaction leaves byproducts like hydrogen gas and salt. 

Acidic substances conduct electricity as they ionize in solutions. 

Moreover, they turn blue litmus paper red.

Basic

pH of anything over 7 is alkaline. 

Bases are bitter, slippery, and smooth. They don’t react with most metals. However, some amphoteric metals like zinc and aluminum react with bases. They form hydrogen gas and salt. 

Moreover, the alkaline substances produce free ions that can carry an electric charge. Such ions trigger the liquid to conduct electricity. 

Besides, they turn red litmus paper blue.

Neutral

pH of 7 indicates neutral. 

Substances that are neither acidic nor basic, for instance, drinking water. They don’t have any distinct taste. 

Their concentration of ions is low, so the ability to conduct electricity will be super weak. 

Moreover, they don’t have a noticeable chemical reaction with most substances. 

Neutral litmus paper usually stays purple. However, it turns red in acidic solutions or blue in basic solutions. 

Drinking Water pH Level Chart

Impact Of pH On Health And Equipment Longevity

Health

Beware of drinking water ph health effects!

Super acidic or basic water is bad for your overall well-being. The problems can become worse. 

Studies say a shot of High dietary acid load can lead to— 

• Metabolic disorders
• Chronic kidney disease
• Insulin resistance

Experts also find extreme alkaline substances risky for health. It can cause—

• Bone disorders
• Metabolic disorders

This shows that consuming anything, including water with inappropriate pH levels is a red sign. It can cause several health-related issues that can vary based on—

• People
• How acidic or basic is it

Moreover, an imbalance in the pH range also results in skin-related problems. You face–

• Irritation 
• Dryness
• Redness
• Itching
• Potential inflammation
• Tingling sensation 
• Burning sensation 

Hence, a proper balance is important. 

Equipment Longevity

High or low pH levels are enemies for your plumbing systems and appliances. 

Acidic water can corrode your copper, lead, or galvanized steel pipes. That’s not the end. It further causes leaks and makes way for contaminants to enter the water supply. These can affect your health and bring disorders. 

Home appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and ice-makers, can also become rusty. 

Basic water is less intense but still can cause damage to your pipes, appliances, and other systems. 

When water gets too basic, it may create lots of carbonate. If there's even a little calcium present in your water, it can combine with the carbonate and form cloudy scales. 

This means your water may look hazy, and you could get annoying buildup in pipes and appliances. 

There could be white spots on the surface too. 

The Safe pH Range for Drinking Water

pH of water is 7 and that’s the safest spot. However, a bit of acid or base is fine. As per the World Health Organization–

The safe pH range for drinking water is– 6.5 to 8.5. So, try to avoid going over or below the range. 

Here’s a handy reference chart so you understand pH levels in drinking water.

Best pH Level for Drinking Water

It falls between 6.5 and 8.5. 

WHO considers the optimal pH range for health and taste. It helps you avoid the risks that low and high-pH water can bring. Plus, there are several perks like— 

• Promises the water tastes clean, smooth, and refreshing. 
• Supports your body’s natural pH balance. 
• Minimizes threats of corrosion, leaks, and scaling. 

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and pH: A Crucial Balance

Best TDS Level for Drinking Water

Let’s swim toward the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) now.

It means the combined content that exists in water. These include all inorganic and organic substances like— 

• Salts
• Minerals
• Metals

All these stuff work to affect the pH of drinking water. A little of TDS is safe but going above the safe range is risky. 

WHO says, the safest and best TDS level for drinking water is below 300 mg/L. However, it’s still OK if you go between 300 and 900 mg/L. 

Here’s a scale by the organization tasters to help you understand better. 

That said, not all dissolved solids are offenders. Minerals like calcium and magnesium can do good for you. 

For instance–

• Building bones and teeth
• Helping muscles

But we’d rather suggest having minerals from other sources instead of tolerating the bitter water. 

You can take– 

• Supplements
• Fruits like Berries and Avocadoes 
• Leafy greens and veggies

How Does TDS Affect Water Quality And Safety?

No matter what, the higher concentration of TDS always brings bad news. It alters the water traits like— 

• The presence of salt makes it salty. 
• The presence of minerals makes it hard.
• The presence of metals makes the taste bitter or tin-like. 

This eventually affects your health. Some include—

• Kidney stone formation
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Cardiovascular disease concerns

That’s why, we always say a balance is essential. It’s better to keep the water free of TDS. 

How to Maintain Ideal TDS and pH Levels at Home?

Regular Testing

Run a thorough test maybe? 

We recommend this since it helps you identify the issues your water may have. That way, you can solve them accordingly. 

This is more important if your home has aging plumbing or uses well water. US EPA suggests— 

Testing water once every year. Have a thorough inspection of water for bacteria, nitrates, TDS, and pH levels, especially if you have—

• A new well. 
• Replaced pipes, pumps, or the well casing.
• Repaired them. 

Typically, you can get yourself a testing kit to monitor the pH and TDS levels. If you can’t, talk to an expert. 

They inspect water through different methods. For instance— 

Test kits

• Water test kits: Identify contaminants like TDS in your water.
• Water hardness test strips: Check the quality of your water and identify hardness issues.
• Test strips: Small, single-use strips that change color to indicate the concentration of a specific chemical. 

TDS meters 

• Measure the concentration of dissolved particles in water.
• A lower TDS number indicates purer water. 

Visual inspection 

• Check the water's color, taste, and odor.
• Check for cloudiness, sediment, or rust residue.

That’s how they do it. 

• Need a professional? Consider NJ Water Systems to get your free water test today!

Filtration Systems

Try RO Filter— a “GROUNDBREAKING” filtration system. 

Reverse osmosis is a talented water treatment process. 

It involves ultra-high pressure and pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane to eliminate the wrongdoers— the contaminants like TDS.

The filter blocks almost all the big and small impurities while letting cleaner, tastier water flow through. 

These include— 

These substances love to affect the water quality and ruin the stability of the pH level. By gatekeeping the impurities, RO tech helps ensure your water maintains the ideal pH levels while lowering the TDS. 

So, you’re left with safer, healthier, clearer water. Grab the best Reverse Osmosis Systems in New Jersey now!

How to Test and Adjust Your Water’s pH Level?

No idea what’s the pH of your water? Try this– 

Get a test kit

Lots of home pH testing kits are available. Buy one for yourself. 

You can look for it online or at your local hardware store. It should cost around $10 and $20. So, it’s pretty budget-friendly. 

Dip the strip

Most kits come with a test strip. You dip it into water.

Wait for the color to change. It usually takes a few seconds. 

Compare the strip to a color chart. You should get the chart in the kit too. This should give you an idea of the water pH value for drinking. 

Use a digital pH meter

Such a tool helps give you detailed results and real-time pH readings. 

Turn it on and clean your electrode in distilled water. 

Dip the probe in pH solutions (4.00 and 7.00) to set it correctly. Now, calibrate it and note down the readings. 

Use distilled water again to rinse it off.

Put the probe in your drinking water to test. Wait for the number to stabilize.

Look at the display. It should show the pH level of your water. 

Adjust pH Levels 

Water outside the safe pH level range? Adjust the range with these tricks. Note that the exact ratio of pH fixer to water depends on how acidic or basic your water is. 

For acidic water

Too acidic means the pH is below 7. To increase it to a safer range— 

• Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and 1 gallon of water. 

Or

• Use a pH increase solution. Read the instructions to identify what ratio to use. 

For basic water

Alkaline water's pH level goes above 7. To lower it to a safer range— 

• Mix basic water with regular water. 

Or 

• Add one teaspoon of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. 

Wondering If Your Water's pH Is Safe? Get It Tested for Free!

The pH level of your drinking water affects its taste, safety, and overall quality. If your water is too acidic or too alkaline, it could lead to plumbing issues, bad taste, or even health concerns. NJ Water Systems offers free water testing to check your pH levels and recommend the best filtration solutions for your home.

📍 Visit us today or schedule your free water test now!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the healthiest pH for drinking water?

It has to be 7. World Health Organization considers the range between 6.5 and 8.5 the healthiest pH for drinking water. 

What happens if your pH is too high?

Be ready to face issues like these if the pH level goes too high–

• Skin irritation
• Scale disposits
• Bitter tasting water
• Stomach disorder

Which pH level is best for drinking?

WHO says it’s the range between 6.5 and 8.5. That’s the best pH level for drinking water. 

Is it better to have high or low pH in water?

Neither. It’s rather better to have water with an ideal pH level. It should be 7 but the 6.5-8.5 range is safe too. 

Is 9.5 pH water good?

pH level 9.5 is a little alkaline and may taste bitter. However, it’s pretty safe for most. Don’t go over 9.5 as it becomes unsafe. Make sure to consult a doctor and get more insights.