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What alkaline water actually is, how it's made, what the research says, what we don't claim, and how to choose the right one. Written by the people who bottle it.
pH 10+ 14-stage Filtration 6 CertificationsDrinking water sits between pH 0 (acidic) and pH 14 (alkaline), with 7 as neutral. Tap water in South Africa typically falls between pH 6.5 and 7.5. Alkaline water rises above pH 7.5, usually through added minerals or controlled ionisation.
Designer Water reaches pH 10+ through a 14-stage filtration and remineralisation process that adds calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is the highest verifiable pH of any premium bottled water in South Africa.
The defining characteristic is not just the number — it's the mineral content and how that mineral content shifts the taste, the smoothness, and the way the water sits on the palate.
Two production methods dominate the alkaline water market. They produce different products with different mineral profiles and different costs to the buyer.
Purified water is enriched with calcium, magnesium and potassium in controlled doses. The result is a stable, repeatable pH and mineral profile every batch. This is the method behind Designer Water pH10®.
Tap water is run through an electrolysis machine (Kangen, Tyent and similar) that separates hydrogen and hydroxide ions. The result depends entirely on the quality of your municipal tap water.
The pH scale runs from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Here's how common drinks compare.
Highly acidic. Erodes enamel.
Standard South African municipal water.
Varies by source geology.
Verifiable, consistent per batch.
Designer Water's mineral profile is added during production at controlled levels. The WHO has noted drinking water can be a meaningful source of essential minerals.
Essential mineral that supports skeletal health, muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission. Drinking water is a recognised contributor to daily intake.
Required for over 300 enzyme systems. Plays a role in energy metabolism, muscle function and nervous system regulation.
Critical electrolyte that supports muscle contractions, nerve transmission and fluid balance, particularly relevant during exercise.
Here is what the peer-reviewed published research actually supports. We reference real studies. We don't make health claims the science doesn't back.
Research published in JAMA Otolaryngology found a Mediterranean diet combined with alkaline water matched or exceeded the effectiveness of standard PPI medication for reflux symptoms in study participants.
A 2016 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found high-pH alkaline water improved hydration markers compared to standard tap water in study participants.
The World Health Organization has noted that drinking water can be a meaningful source of calcium and magnesium intake, supplementing what's obtained from food. Designer Water adds calcium, magnesium and potassium during mineralisation.
In independent taste tests, 96.9% of 574 participants preferred Designer Water pH10® over competing bottled waters. The taste difference comes from the mineral profile, not the pH on its own.
How alkaline water compares to the other water types on the South African market. Side-by-side on pH, mineral content, and what each type is actually best for.
| Water Type | pH | Minerals | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline (Designer Water pH10®) | 10+ | Ca, Mg, K added | Daily hydration, post-exercise, smoother taste |
| Purified | 6.5–7.0 | Stripped out | Clean, neutral water with no mineral profile |
| Spring | 6.5–8.0 | Variable by source | Natural mineral content, geology-dependent |
| Mineral (≥250 ppm TDS) | Varies | High | High-mineral intake from a protected source |
| Sparkling | 3.0–5.0 | Variable | Carbonated alternative; lower pH due to CO₂ |
Six sizes, one alkaline mineral profile. Bigger bottles drop the per-litre rate. The 10L works out to under R10 per litre.
Straight answers based on what the published research supports and what our certifications confirm.
Yes. Designer Water pH10® is safe for daily consumption. If you're new to high-pH water, start with one or two glasses per day and build up as you find comfortable. As with all water, the benefit comes from consistent adequate hydration throughout the day.
There is no single "best" pH, but research has examined alkaline water above pH 8 specifically for hydration markers and acid reflux symptom relief. Designer Water sits at pH 10+, above the threshold used in the Koufman & Johnston 2012 JAMA acid reflux study.
Both are alkaline, but produced differently. Kangen is a brand of water ionisation machine that electrolyses tap water at the point of use. Designer Water is a bottled alkaline water produced through 14-stage filtration and controlled mineralisation, with verifiable pH and mineral content per batch.
Read more in our Kangen comparison.
Research published in JAMA Otolaryngology (Koufman & Johnston, 2012) examined alkaline water as part of a dietary protocol for laryngopharyngeal reflux. The study found the alkaline water and Mediterranean diet combination matched or exceeded PPI medication effectiveness in study participants. This isn't medical advice — if you have reflux, speak to your healthcare provider.
Three things separate Designer Water:
1. Filtration depth. A 14-stage process versus the industry-standard 3-stage.
2. Verifiable pH 10+. Above the threshold used in the JAMA acid reflux study. Most brands sit pH 6–8 and stay quiet about it.
3. Six independent certifications. SANBWA, ISO 22000, Kosher, Halal, GC Mark, GFSI — more than most competitors combined.
Designer Water is available three ways: our online shop (nationwide delivery), our Master Distributor network, or any of 5,500+ Waterpreneurs operating across all nine provinces of South Africa. The last option is usually the fastest if you have one nearby.
Yes. The Designer Water Waterpreneur Programme starts at R539. No franchise fees, no monthly contracts, no equipment needed. You buy stock at distributor pricing and sell at retail, keeping the margin. Over 5,500 Waterpreneurs operate across South Africa.
General hydration guidelines suggest 2–3 litres of water per day depending on body weight, activity level and climate. There's no specific dose of alkaline water — drink it like you'd drink any other water. The benefit is in consistent intake, not in chasing a particular daily quota of alkaline water specifically.
14-stage filtration, calcium-magnesium-potassium mineralisation, and SANBWA + ISO 22000 audited bottling. Start with a case.