The quality of drinking water is measured, among other things, by its pH value. However, this not only determines purity and drinkability. Its pH value also imparts specific properties to water. These, in turn, regulate various reactions to the environment.
Although pH is important, it is not the most important and, above all, not the only parameter in drinking water. Nevertheless, it is useful and helpful to have a basic understanding of pH in drinking water. The role of pH in drinking water will now be described:
pH value and drinking water – what exactly does that mean?
Put simply, the pH value in drinking water indicates how acidic or basic a sample is. This numerical value precisely describes, on a scale of 0 to 14, the extent to which an aqueous solution can be described as acidic, neutral, or basic. A value of 7 indicates that the solution is neutral. A lower value indicates an acid. A higher value indicates a basic solution.
The pH value of drinking water can therefore be used to immediately determine whether it is suitable for human consumption. According to the Drinking Water Ordinance, edible drinking water should have a pH value between 6.5 and 9.5. Slightly acidic or slightly alkaline is therefore acceptable for humans.
However, when it comes to the requirements for healthy and clean drinking water, the pH value plays a more functional role. The purity of water is determined by its physical properties, which are a result of the pH value. If the pH value is very low—i.e., acidic—the water becomes "aggressive," and lead and copper pipes can contaminate the water. However, if the pH value is higher than required by the regulations, this has other negative consequences for consumers—the water tastes "soapy" and it stimulates excessive stomach acid production.
Why is the pH value in drinking water important? - The connection to everyday human life
Because the pH value in drinking water directly changes its physical properties, it is obvious that it plays an important role in human health. Furthermore, clean and fresh water is needed in many areas of everyday life. Here, too, the pH value plays a significant role.
Importance of pH in drinking water for the human organism
Time and again, we learn that clean drinking water is extremely important for all living organisms. The human body alone consists of approximately 70 percent liquid (water!). This gives us an idea of the diverse functions water performs in the human organism.
Water performs transport, supply, and metabolic functions in the body. Water aids in the conversion and distribution of nutrients and supports the elimination of waste products and toxins. Water is constantly required for all processes, from the supply of essential elements to their elimination. Not to mention the various functions at the cellular level.
Here, water provides the necessary osmotic pressure, which impacts various metabolic processes. Without sufficient water, these vital functions can no longer function. Therefore, constant fluid intake is essential.
If the supply is poor or insufficient, the body literally dehydrates. As a result, the organism can no longer function optimally. If this condition persists, negative health consequences are inevitable.
While food and beverages generally replenish a person's water reserves, drinking fresh water is optimal and particularly healthy. It supports the supply of nutrients and the elimination of waste from the body, and there is no alternative.
Is drinking water acidic or alkaline? – The importance of pH
As already mentioned, the pH scale in drinking water and other aqueous solutions describes a way to distinguish between fluid transitions. A total of three stages of the liquid can be distinguished based on pH, which we will now break down.
Acidic water – This contains more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions and has a pH value below 7. Depending on how far from 7 it is, this value indicates how acidic an aqueous solution actually is. This value also has physical consequences for drinking water. Thus, a low pH value in drinking water is associated with a high oxygen saturation. Acidic water is primarily used for medical treatment of the skin. A low pH value is lethal to bacteria, fungi, and germs.
Alkaline water – This type of water, with more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions, is currently enjoying great popularity among many consumers. Various water treatment methods can also reliably raise the pH level. However, careful preparation is recommended. While consuming slightly alkaline water is generally recommended, overconsumption or an excessively high pH level can upset a sensitive stomach.
Neutral water – By definition, a pH value of 7 is "neutral." Tap water in this country should have a value between 6.5 and 9.5, meaning slightly alkaline rather than too acidic. Incidentally, it's important to note that pH control also depends on water temperature. Therefore, the pH value in drinking water is determined at room temperature.
What are the consequences of a poor pH value in drinking water?
The term "acid" immediately raises the question: Why is slightly acidic water safe? Aren't acids dangerous? That's not easy to answer in general terms, because there are different types of acids.
Here are just a few of the more well-known examples. Acetic acid, lactic acid, and fruit acid are actually good and healthy for the human organism. Last but not least, we use acids like ascorbic acid in many modern foods to improve flavor and preserve them.
It can therefore be said that acids don't automatically have to be devastatingly dangerous. At least not automatically like hydrochloric acid in batteries or in the human stomach. However, to avoid any misunderstandings, a distinction is made between acid as a pure solid and a slightly acidic solution. The latter also includes our drinking water, which should be safe to consume.
However, it's also important to remember that the pH value in drinking water is just a single value. This value interacts with other properties and components of the water. However, if the pH value is at the extremes of the scale, such as below 4 or above 11, the water is not only unhealthy. It can even have harmful consequences.
How important is pH for healthy drinking water?
When considering the significance of pH in drinking water, the entire spectrum of possible contents and properties must always be considered. For this, it is helpful to know basic information about pH and other parameters.
How is the pH value in drinking water determined?
By definition, the term pH is written in Latin as potentia hydrogenii. Translated, this means "concentration of hydrogen ions." While this sounds complex, it can be clearly represented on a manageable scale.
The pH value refers to the intrinsic activity of the unbound hydrogen and hydroxide ions within an aqueous solution. When the two ions are in equilibrium, an average value of 7 is calculated. This indicates a neutral liquid. If the value is less than 7, the concentration of hydrogen ions is higher than neutral, resulting in an acidic solution. A value above 7 indicates an increased concentration of hydroxide ions, resulting in a basic or alkaline solution.
It's also helpful to know that different fluids in the body have different pH values. Acidic conditions can be found in the stomach, but also on the skin. Digestive juices and the like, on the other hand, are more alkaline. Finally, the blood needed throughout the body can be determined to be slightly alkaline at approximately 7.4.
How does “acid” affect the human organism?
Various alkaline, acidic, and neutral solutions are constantly being produced in the human body. Therefore, it is particularly important not to unnecessarily disrupt these systems. For this reason, drinking water in this country is chemically and physically treated.
It's important to remember that individual nutrition plays a particularly important role in the body's acid-base balance. If the nutrients received are not balanced and appropriate, metabolic overregulation is possible.
If the pH value in drinking water is slightly alkaline, it can neutralize unwanted acids in the body. This can alleviate fatigue, lack of motivation, and muscle and joint pain caused by excess acidity. If you want to be absolutely precise, make sure the alkaline value isn't too high. This could stimulate the metabolism to release more acids to compensate.
Therefore, a neutral or slightly acidic pH value in drinking water is generally recommended.
All important information about drinking water, pH value, etc.
Although the topic of pH in drinking water seems to be widely known, there are some serious misunderstandings regarding the details. In particular, the role of this value in ensuring healthy and quality drinking water is often misunderstood. Therefore, we would like to summarize the most important information in a concise manner.
What you should know about the pH value in drinking water
When the pH value in drinking water is as it should be, the water has the best possible properties. But what consequences can consumers expect if they drink water that is too acidic or too alkaline over an extended period of time?
Without going into medical detail, it can be said that both scenarios are associated with differentiated consequences. However, these should always be considered in the context of the respective general physical constitution. A reliable medical analysis can only be performed by appropriately trained professionals.
However, acidification caused by drinking water with a significantly low pH can cause some symptoms. Common complaints include rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, facial reddening, and even confusion and dizziness. Alkaline solutions, on the other hand, cause dizziness, breathing problems, and difficulty absorbing nutrients. In any case, these diffuse symptoms must be assessed by professionals and treated accordingly.
What should you consider when dealing with the pH value in drinking water?
In general, the quality and availability of drinking water in this country are generally very good. However, contrary to popular belief, not all households in Germany are supplied with drinking water through the public supply network. In some cases, it is still common to use a private well or to supply an area with water from an independent source.
The pH value alone is no longer the only important factor in determining whether a water source is safe to drink. Especially when supplying drinking water independently of the public water network, quality and accessibility must be guaranteed.
As a consumer, there are also ways to prevent losses or dangers caused by undrinkable water through your own behavior. This starts with protecting groundwater. Therefore, private consumers, especially, should avoid using chemical products in their homes.
Many chemical and biological contaminants, which are also related to pH as a result of complex processes, are caused by humans. Fertilizers, insecticides, household and industrial waste, and inadequate disposal all affect groundwater quality sooner or later. As a result, pH plays a multifaceted role, sometimes in a very complex way.
Therefore, private consumers are advised to inspect their own installations and act responsibly. Especially because potential problems and health consequences can be very complex, the entire scenario must always be considered. In an emergency, only a professional can do this.
Water quality and pH value in drinking water – Conclusion
Although the pH value in drinking water cannot be considered in isolation, a better value also means an improvement for the human organism. People with health problems or limitations, in particular, can be advised to pay attention to the pH value in their drinking water. Consumers can also directly influence the pH value in drinking water.
The goal is often to achieve so-called deacidification, which means reducing the carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. This is intended to optimize potential downstream processes and reduce the corrosive properties of the liquids.
This is made possible by a combination of chemical and physical options. These can be differentiated based on the required quantity to be processed and the requirements of the end user. Different solutions can be used for both professional and individual requirements.
While the statements surrounding the pH value in drinking water represent only one of the possible influencing factors, this measurement in particular is a practical and informative unit. It is therefore advisable for consumers to have basic knowledge of this topic. This will, on the one hand, provide greater understanding and security within a broad topic. Above all, it will enable improvements and optimization of their drinking water supply and their own habits.
