How to Make Reverse Osmosis Water Alkaline? Find Out Here!
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: May 4, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product or service through such a link we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
With alkaline water being all the rage for its supposed health benefits, you may be wondering if there is a way to alkalize your reverse osmosis water.
Reverse osmosis water is naturally slightly acidic and lacking minerals, and health aside, some just don’t like the way that makes the water taste.
So, if that is the case, can’t we do something to fix it and bring it back into alkaline pH ranges? Let’s see.
Contents
show
Key Takeaways
You can make reverse osmosis water (more) alkaline by:
- Adding baking soda, alkaline powders, or pH drops to the water.
- Using a remineralization post-filter.
- Using an alkaline water pitcher to filter your RO water after it has been dispensed.
How to Make Reverse Osmosis Water Alkaline
So, how to make reverse osmosis water alkaline?
There are only a few ways you can alkalize reverse osmosis water manually. The first is adding one-half to one tablespoon baking soda into a large glass of water before you drink, the second is by adding alkaline powders into the water, and the third is by adding water pH drops.
Using a Remineralization Filter
This is a more convenient way to alkalize your RO water, even though the goal of a remineralization filter is to remineralize the water so that the pH will be more balanced. A remineralization filter can be added as a post-filtration step on most under sink reverse osmosis systems, and the water will pass through it before it is dispensed from the faucet.
The filter contains mineral-adding media, which deposits calcium, magnesium, potassium, or other trace minerals back into the water, thus balancing the pH level of the purified water and making it more alkaline as a secondary effect.
Using an Alkaline Water Pitcher
An alkaline water pitcher works in pretty much the same way as a remineralization filter. They usually contain a couple of filtration steps, one that removes some impurities and another that adds minerals into the water as it moves through the filter media. The goal: Increase water pH.
Start by Testing the pH of Your RO Water
Testing the pH of your reverse osmosis water is a good idea to determine if you even want to alkalize it. You can use a digital pH meter or strip test kit to do this.
Reverse osmosis water often falls on the acidic side of the pH meter, particularly if it has been sitting in the storage tank for some time before use.
What pH can you expect form your RO water? Usually somewhere between 5 and 6.5-7.0.
Why Is Reverse Osmosis Water Acidic and Not Alkaline?
There are several reasons reverse osmosis water is usually acidic and not alkaline. The main one, it contains no minerals! RO systems are designed to remove all impurities from water and can’t tell the difference between a good one and a bad one. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are all removed. The result is more pure drinking water but also water that sits at a lower pH.
The second reason reverse osmosis water is acidic and becomes more so the longer it sits is because of the way it reacts with the air. Reverse osmosis water is very pure and hungry to dissolve some impurities. After filtration, when the water is exposed to air, it dissolves carbon dioxide, forming a weak acid in the water. Nothing too acidic to be at all dangerous, and much less acidic than your morning coffee.
What Makes Water Alkaline?
There is a key difference between alkaline water and water with alkalinity. Alkaline and acidic refers to the pH of the water; a pH of 7 is neutral, above 7 is alkaline, and below 7 is considered acidic. Alkaline water means that minerals such as calcium and magnesium have been added to make it less acidic.
Water with alkalinity is better able to neutralize acid, meaning that the water has a buffering capacity and can resist a certain amount of acid before the pH changes.
Further Reading:
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water?
There have been a few scientific studies on the health claims of alkaline water. However, the evidence remains quite limited.
One study found that drinking alkaline water may improve blood viscosity, potentially benefiting athletes and people with certain medical conditions. Another study suggested that alkaline water may reduce acid reflux symptoms.
Most health claims surrounding alkaline water are not supported by scientific evidence, however, and most medical experts agree not to fall for the marketing hype.
Making Reverse Osmosis Water Alkaline with a Water Ionizer?
A water ionizer is a machine that uses ionization to produce alkaline water. The water is passed through a series of electrodes with a positive and negative charge. They separate certain ions and split the water into two streams, one being acidic and one being alkaline.
As RO water doesn’t have any minerals to separate, I don’t see how this would work unless you remineralized it first before running it through an ionizer.
Water ionizers may have some health benefits due to the presence of dissolved hydrogen that is created in the drinking water, as it may have an antioxidant effect, but more research is needed.
If you have any questions about how to alkalize reverse osmosis water please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.