Water quality is about more than just chemicals and contaminants. Your water’s pH levels, for example, can have a big effect on the safety of the water you use in your home. Today we’re going to talk about the effects of low and high pH levels in water and what you can do to neutralize them!
What are pH levels in water?
As you probably remember from school, water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen (hence the abbreviation H2O). However, not all water is created equal. Some water has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, while other water has a lower concentration of hydrogen ions.
The pH (potential of hydrogen) level of water is a measurement of the amount of hydrogen ions in your water. When water is tested for pH levels, it is given a number on a scale between 0 and 14. If the pH level is lower than 7, the water is considered acidic. If the pH level is above 7, the water is considered alkaline. A pH level of exactly 7 is considered neutral.
What are the effects of low and high pH levels in water?
Although water treatment plants attempt to control the pH levels of water, many homes still receive water with a pH level that is either too low or too high. Homes with well water are especially prone to low or high pH levels because their water is not tested or regulated by the EPA.
Water with high pH levels (alkaline water) often has a slippery feel and can impart a taste similar to that of baking soda. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to water with high pH levels can result in irritation of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, in addition to worsening symptoms of skin disorders.
Water with low pH levels comes with its own set of problems. In addition to making your water taste bitter and metallic, acidic water can corrode your plumbing system. This corrosion allows metals such as lead to leech into your water, which can create a number of different health effects (not to mention the damaging effects it has on your pipes and fixtures). Acidic water can also stain your sinks, drains and clothes.
What should you do about the pH levels in your water?
If you’re curious about your water’s pH levels, the first thing you should do is schedule a free water quality analysis with NC Water Consultants. We’ll test your water’s pH levels and let you know whether or not they are problematic. If your home’s pH levels are an issue, we’ll recommend a solution such as a whole house filtration system from Hague that will neutralize your water.
If you have any questions about pH levels in water, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants. We install Hague water filtration systems in North and South Carolina, including towns like Charlotte, Davidson and Kannapolis, NC.
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