Alkaline Water

[Matheous-2]

Can anyone suggest a practical method for increasing the ph of domestic tap water?
Thanks in anticipation....

[Old_Geezer]

A water softener ? Sodium exchange causes the ph to increase slightly.

[EDDIE51]

Where are you? the natural pH varies from around 5 to 9 but most is from 6 to 7.8
Why do you want to increase the pH ? outside those limits it would be undrinkable or corrode the pipes.

[gingejbee]

Without more details (intended use, volume needed), it's difficult to advise. For example, you could increase the pH of a smallish volume for a specific purpose by adding sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)- although you'd need a method of checking the resultant pH (pH papers or pH meter).
To increase the pH of ALL your incoming water for ALL purposes, including drinking, is a completely matter and not something that I'd consider or recommend.
I don't know what happens in Scotland (you seem to be a law unto yourselves!) but in the rest of the country, if a supply has too low a pH, then it is adjusted to a more suitable level at the treatment plant using appropriate acid and alkali and very sophisticated dosing and measuring equipment.
.Mains water is usually in supply between 7.0 and 8.0, ideally at the higher end of that range. Slightly higher doesn't matter , but lower can cause problems (dissolving metals and resultant corrosion).

[LazyGun]

@Matheous I am unsure as to your motivations for wanting more alkaline water. Is it because you believe that it offers greater health benefits?

If so, you should note that this idea that more alkaline water can confer a range of health benefits is not supported by science. For example, a review of over 200 studies into alkaline water and bone health, published in the Nutrition Journal in 2011 found no benefit.

Various parts of the human body are designed to work at differing pH levels. Take the stomach, for instance - pH 2 ish. Blood is around 7.4 ish. The body is regulated and buffered, so even drinking strongly alkaline water will not effect the pH of your blood.

Useful article on this topic in the Washington Post;
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-11/national/37033580_1_ph-level-alkaline-diet-acid

If it is for any other reason - ignore all of the above :)

[Matheous-2]

Thanks LazyGun - good comprehensive answer....

[jomifl]

Remove the cabon dioxide by boiling.

[EDDIE51]

There is another post on the same subject from Matheous , in the other one he says his water smells of 'wet dog' . I have advised him to get a charcoal filter rather than worry about pH.

[EDDIE51]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Food-and-Drink/Question1253647.html
This is the other post.

[gingejbee]

Actually, the first thing he should do is to contact his water supplier so they can investigate the problem. In that way, he will know if it's a general supply problem (affecting lots of people in the near area) or a
problem with his own internal plumbing.

[Matheous-2]

Gingejbee- Thanks for your reply....I will check if my next door neighbour has this smell also- although I haven't noticed its recurrence for a couple of weeks now....