Ca
Calcium
Added during mineralisation. One of the three minerals that give Designer Water its pH and taste.
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The complete guide · pH 10 · SANBWA certified
Alkaline water, explained by the people who bottle it.
This alkaline water guide covers what alkaline water is, how Designer Water makes it, how it compares to spring, purified and tap water, what it costs by the case, and what the research does and does not say. Straight answers, no hype. Bottled at pH 10 in Midrand, South Africa.
pH10
every batch
Ca · Mg · K · H₂ at bottling
The basics
What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water is water with a pH above 7. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline. Tap water in South Africa usually sits somewhere between pH 6.5 and 7.5.
Bottled alkaline water gets its higher pH in one of two ways: minerals are added to purified water, or tap water is run through an ionising machine at home. Designer Water uses the first method. That's why the number on our label is the same in every batch.
Designer Water pH10 sits at pH 10 and contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is bottled in Midrand and audited under SANBWA and ISO 22000. If you want the science of the scale itself, read our water pH guide.
pH 10
Designer Water alkaline water
Calcium, magnesium and potassium added · Verified every batch · Bottled in Midrand since 2015
The pH scale
Where alkaline water sits on the scale.
Every whole number on the pH scale is a tenfold change. Water at pH 10 is 1 000 times more alkaline than neutral water at pH 7. Here is where common drinks land.
01234567891011121314
Acidic7 · Neutral10 · Designer WaterAlkaline
2 to 3
Lemon juice
Strongly acidic.
4 to 5
Coffee
Mildly acidic.
6.5 to 7.5
SA tap water
Around neutral. Varies by municipality.
pH 10
10
Designer Water
Premium alkaline. Same every batch.
One honest note. Your body keeps blood pH within a tight range of 7.35 to 7.45 on its own. Drinking alkaline water does not change your blood pH. What you get from Designer Water is a consistent pH 10 and a source of calcium, magnesium and potassium in every glass. For the full picture, see our alkaline water benefits guide.
How it's made
How Designer Water makes alkaline water.
Four steps, in this order, on every case that leaves Midrand. These are process facts, not health claims.
01
14-stage filtration
The water goes through a 14-stage filtration process before anything is added. This gives us a clean, consistent base to build on.
02
Mineralisation
Calcium, magnesium and potassium are added in controlled doses. This is what lifts the pH. It also gives the water its smooth taste.
03
pH 10 every batch
Because the minerals are dosed, not left to chance, the pH is the same batch after batch. It's checked before the water is bottled.
04
Bottled and audited
Bottled in Midrand under SANBWA and ISO 22000 audits. Six certifications cover the plant and the process.
Mg
Magnesium
Added during mineralisation. Contributes to the smooth, soft finish on the palate.
K
Potassium
Added during mineralisation. The third mineral in the pH10 profile, dosed at the same level every batch.
H₂
Molecular hydrogen and reduced ORP at bottling
Every bottle is infused with molecular hydrogen and has a reduced Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) at time of bottling. These are factual descriptions of how the water leaves the line, not health claims. Read more on our hydrogen water page.
Alkaline vs spring vs purified vs tap
How alkaline water compares.
Four types of drinking water, side by side on the facts that matter: pH, minerals and how each one is made.
| Water type | Designer Water pH10 | Spring water | Purified water | Tap water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 10, the same every batch | Usually 6.5 to 8.0. Depends on the source | Usually 6.5 to 7.0 | Usually 6.5 to 7.5 in South Africa |
| Minerals | Calcium, magnesium and potassium added at controlled levels | Whatever the source rock gives it. Varies by spring | Mostly removed by the purification process | Varies by municipality and season |
| How it's made | 14-stage filtration, then mineralisation, hydrogen infusion and bottling in Midrand | Collected from a natural underground source and bottled | Filtered or reverse osmosis treated to remove impurities | Municipal treatment, then piped to your home |
| Consistency | Verified every batch under SANBWA and ISO 22000 | Changes with the source | Consistent, but low in minerals | Changes with the supply |
All four hydrate you. The difference is the pH, the mineral profile and how much control there is over both. We go deeper on each comparison below.
Sizes and prices
Five sizes. One water. Cases from R211.
Every size is the same pH 10 alkaline water with the same minerals. Pick the bottle that fits your day. Prices are per case, delivered nationwide.
See the full range
Prefer to buy local? Find your nearest Master Distributor or look for the purple cap.
96.9%
The taste test
Why the minerals matter for taste.
96.9% preferred Designer Water in an independent taste test of 390 non-customer respondents. The smoothness comes from the mineral profile, not from the pH number on its own.
Taste it yourself"You can taste the difference between this water and other brands. Like cheap wine vs award winning wine. My body loves this."
Nicola
Verified customer testimonial
"I struggled drinking water but I'm now a disciplined water drinker. I love drinking water."
Zukiswa
Verified Takealot review
Testimonials reflect personal experiences. Individual results may vary.
Certified six ways
Don't take our word for it.
Designer Water is a member of the South African National Bottled Water Association and holds six certifications covering food safety, the plant and the product. We are the only high-pH SANBWA member.
Certification is how you check an alkaline water claim without a lab of your own. See the full list on our certifications page.
SANBWA
Member of the South African National Bottled Water Association.
ISO 22000
International food safety management standard, 2018 version.
GC Mark
GC Mark of Conformity for product quality.
GFSI
Global Food Safety Initiative benchmarked.
Kosher
Kosher certified.
Halal
Halal certified.
What the research says
Cited, not claimed.
We don't make health claims about alkaline water. We point you to the published research and let you read it yourself.
Research · 2012
Koufman & Johnston (2012)
Research by Koufman and Johnston, published in 2012, examined the effect of alkaline water at pH 8.8 on human pepsin, the stomach enzyme involved in reflux, under laboratory conditions. It is one of the most cited papers on alkaline water and acid reflux. We summarise the paper and what it does and does not show on a dedicated page.
Alkaline water is not a medicine and is not a substitute for medical care. If you have ongoing reflux or any other symptoms, see a healthcare professional. Not medical advice.
Read the acid reflux research pageFAQ
Alkaline water questions, answered straight.
Eight of the questions we get asked most, answered without hype.
What is alkaline water?
Water with a pH above 7. Most bottled alkaline water gets there by adding minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium to purified water. Designer Water is bottled at pH 10.
What pH is Designer Water?
pH 10. The pH comes from added calcium, magnesium and potassium, so it is the same in every batch and is checked before bottling.
How is Designer Water made?
14-stage filtration, then controlled mineralisation with calcium, magnesium and potassium, then molecular hydrogen infusion and bottling in Midrand. The water has a reduced ORP at time of bottling. The plant is audited under SANBWA and ISO 22000.
Is bottled alkaline water the same as ionised water?
No. An ioniser is a machine that electrolyses your tap water at home, so the result depends on your tap water. Designer Water is mineralised and bottled under audit, so the pH and minerals are the same every time. Read our ioniser comparison.
How is alkaline water different from spring or purified water?
Spring water carries whatever minerals its source rock gives it, so pH and taste vary by spring. Purified water has most minerals removed. Alkaline water like Designer Water has minerals added at set levels. See alkaline vs spring and alkaline vs purified.
How much alkaline water should I drink a day?
Drink it the way you'd drink any water. General guidance is 2 to 3 litres a day depending on your size, activity and the weather. There is no special dose for alkaline water. If you have a kidney condition or take medication that affects electrolytes, check with your doctor first. Read the full guide.
What does the research say about alkaline water and acid reflux?
Research by Koufman and Johnston (2012) looked at alkaline water at pH 8.8 and human pepsin in laboratory conditions. We summarise it on our acid reflux research page. It is research, not a promise, and not medical advice.
Where can I buy Designer Water?
Online at designerwater.co.za with nationwide delivery, from your nearest Master Distributor, or from one of 5,500+ Waterpreneurs across South Africa. Look for the purple cap. Sizes: 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 5L, all by the case.
Ready to taste it
Premium alkaline water. pH 10. Bottled in SA.
Calcium, magnesium and potassium. Molecular hydrogen infused at bottling. SANBWA certified. 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 5L by the case, from R211. Delivered nationwide.
SANBWA · ISO 22000 · Kosher · Halal · GC Mark · GFSI · Made in SA · Since 2013