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Standing in the water aisle wondering which one to grab? The difference is more than just pH. Here's what each goes through, what's left in it, and which to choose for what.
pH 10+ Alkaline pH 6.5–7 Purified Same 14-stage processBoth alkaline water and purified water go through filtration. The difference sits in what happens after.
Purified water has had chemicals, contaminants, bacteria and most dissolved solids removed through reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionisation.
The goal is clean and neutral. Minimal taste, minimal mineral content, minimal aftertaste.
Alkaline water starts as purified water, but then goes through controlled mineralisation: calcium, magnesium and potassium are added back at known levels, lifting the pH above 7.
Designer Water pH10® reaches pH 10+ through a 14-stage process that filters first and re-mineralises second.
Both waters use reverse osmosis. The Designer Water 14-stage process continues with mineralisation that purified water skips entirely.
Sediment + multi-media filtration removes particulates.
High-pressure RO strips dissolved solids and ions.
Microbiological safety without chemicals. Both waters stop here, or...
Alkaline water only: Ca, Mg, K added at controlled levels to pH 10+.
Both come from the same source water and the same filtration line. The mineralisation step is what splits them.
| Attribute | Purified Water | Alkaline Water |
|---|---|---|
| pH Level | 6.5 – 7.0 (neutral) | pH 10+ (alkaline) |
| Mineral content | Stripped during filtration | Ca, Mg, K added back |
| Filtration depth | RO + UV (typical 3–5 stage) | 14-stage including mineralisation |
| Taste profile | Clean, neutral, minimal aftertaste | Smoother, fuller mouthfeel |
| Best use case | Cooking, mixing, neutral hydration | Daily hydration with mineral profile |
| Designer Water example | PureSafe · R9 / 500ml | pH10® · R12.08 / 500ml |
Both are quality bottled waters. The right choice is about use case, not about one being objectively "better" than the other.
You want a clean, neutral water with no taste profile, especially for cooking, mixing with drinks, or use with formula and baby bottles. PureSafe is Designer Water's purified offering — same 14-stage process minus the mineralisation step.
Explore PureSafe →You want a defined mineral profile, smoother taste and a higher pH for daily hydration, post-exercise, or as a regular replacement for tap water. Designer Water pH10® is the highest verifiable pH bottled water in South Africa.
Shop pH10® →Designer Water produces both PureSafe purified and pH10® alkaline from the same 14-stage filtration plant. Pricing below for the alkaline range — the most-bought option in South Africa.
Not better — different. Purified water gives you a clean, neutral, mineral-stripped product. Alkaline water gives you a defined mineral profile (calcium, magnesium, potassium) at a higher pH. The "best" depends on what you want from your bottled water.
Yes — and that's actually how Designer Water does it. Our 14-stage process purifies the water first, then re-mineralises it with controlled doses of calcium, magnesium and potassium to lift the pH above 10. The mineralisation step is what separates the two products.
Because the filtration removes the minerals that give water its taste. Calcium, magnesium and sodium all contribute to mouthfeel and flavour. When they're stripped out, what's left is a clean but neutral product. Alkaline water adds those minerals back, which is why the taste is described as smoother and fuller.
Both are safe. Designer Water bottles both under the same SANBWA-accredited, ISO 22000-certified process. Microbiologically there's no difference — the safety standards are identical. The difference is in pH and mineral content, not safety.
For babies, the standard guidance is to use purified water (like PureSafe) for formula. For pets, both work — alkaline water is safe for daily drinking. Speak to your paediatrician or vet if you have specific concerns.
At Designer Water, purified (PureSafe) sits at about R9 per 500ml. Alkaline pH10® is about R12.08 per 500ml at case pricing. The mineralisation stage and the additional certifications drive the small price uplift.
Whether you want the smooth taste of pH 10 alkaline or the clean neutral profile of purified — both come from the same trusted facility.