With temperatures steadily soaring, there’s nothing like enjoying a tall glass of cold, refreshing water. However, if the pH level isn’t within the appropriate range, it won’t taste right and may be hazardous to your health. If you're worried about this, Affordable Water Treatment has some answers for you. For more than 50 years, this family-owned and -operated company has provided both commercial and residential water treatment throughout Gig Harbor, WA. If you’re wondering about the pH of your drinking water, continue reading.

The pH Scale

According to residential water treatment experts, before knowing what the correct pH level should be, know what scale refers to. Ranging from 0-14, every level indicates whether an aqueous solution is an acid or a base. As this residential water treatment company explains, if the level is closer to 0, the solution is more acidic, while the closer it is to 14, the more basic it is. A 7 on the scale means the solution is a pure neutral.

Acidic pH

When drinking water is more acidic, it’s considered “soft” and corrosive. It carries traces of iron, copper, lead, manganese, and zinc; because of this, it’ll have a sour or metallic flavor. At high concentrations, these metals are toxic to the human body and can create a blueish-green stain on everything from your laundry to the sinks.

Basic pH

Also referred to as alkaline, drinking water with a more basic pH is considered “hard water.” In terms of taste, it's bitter. Hard water can form white, scaly mineral deposits on your faucets and shower heads, as well as hinder how well soaps and detergents lather up.

Ideal Range for Drinking

As you may have guessed, drinking water should be as close to the middle as possible. Because 7 is neutral, a safe range is between 6 and 8.5. The range is a bit more lenient toward an alkaline level because of human biology; the same stomach acid that helps aid digestion can handle the higher pH.

For anyone in the Gig Harbor area who’s having this issue, contact Affordable Water Treatment. If the alkalinity is too high, they can install a water softener, and if it’s too acidic, they can install a neutralizing water filter. Regardless of the situation, they'll work closely with you to ensure your needs are met. If you have any questions about these residential water treatment options, visit the website or call them today at (253) 858-7644.