Founded in 2013 and bottling in Midrand since 2015. Designer Water makes pH10 alkaline water and PureSafe, with opportunities for people who want to sell water in their own communities.
SANBWA certifiedISO 22000KosherHalaalFounded 2013Bottling since 2015Made in MidrandWaterpreneurs across South Africa
SANBWA certifiedISO 22000KosherHalaalFounded 2013Bottling since 2015Made in MidrandWaterpreneurs across South Africa
96.9%
Preferred in our company-run, sighted July 2025 survey of 390 non-customers
5 500+
Active Waterpreneur distributors
888
Archived reviews · 4.7 out of 5 · Jul 2020–Feb 2026
Quality
Audited production standards
2013
Company founded
The founder
John Thompson. Founder and CEO.
Designer Water SA · Founded 2013 · Bottling since 2015
John founded Designer Water in 2013 after spending years studying the bottled water industry in South Africa. He saw a gap. Premium quality water existed elsewhere, but not at scale here. Bottling began in 2015 from a facility in Centurion, Gauteng.
The process was built from the ground up: 14 stages of purification and mineralisation, leaving water at pH 10 infused with calcium, magnesium and potassium.
From day one, the model was different. Rather than start by chasing retail shelf space, John built the Waterpreneur programme, a distributor network that has grown to 5 500+ active members across South Africa, supported by participating Master Distributors.
“
We never set out to be just another water company. The goal was to build something people could feel proud to buy, serve, and grow with.
John Thompson · Founder and CEO
Founded
2013, Designer Water SA (Pty) Ltd
Bottling since
2015, first in Centurion, now Midrand
Process
14 stages, pH 10, Ca Mg K, H₂ at bottling
Certified
SANBWA, ISO 22000, Kosher, Halaal
Network
Waterpreneurs and participating collection points
Our journey
The Designer Water journey.
From a single question in 2013 to a national distributor network. These are the milestones that built the brand.
2013
Designer Water founded
John Thompson founds Designer Water SA after studying the local bottled water industry. The blueprint is set: premium quality, certified, distributor-driven.
2015
Bottling begins in Centurion
The 14-stage purification and mineralisation process runs for the first time. Water reaches a stable pH 10 from added minerals.
2016
Waterpreneur programme launches
The first distributor cohort joins. Rather than fight for retail shelves first, the brand builds a peer-to-peer network.
2018
National media coverage
SABC, Fox 34 News, ABC affiliates, Lekker FM, HOT 91.9 and FIBO Africa pick up the story.
2021
SANBWA and ISO 22000 audited
Independent food safety and bottled water certifications anchor the production process.
2024
5 500+ active Waterpreneurs
The distributor network passes 5 500 active members. Master Distributors support local stock and collection.
2026
Official Hydration Partner of PFL Africa
Brand ambassadors Wayde van Niekerk (400m world record holder) and Akani Simbine (Africa's fastest man) join.
The 14-stage process
Not a marketing story. The actual production sequence.
Every bottle of Designer Water pH10 goes through a disciplined multi-stage process at our Midrand facility. Here are the six major phases.
01
Sediment filtration
Coarse particle removal
Source water passes through layered sediment filters that strip out suspended solids before the next stage.
02
Carbon filtration
Chlorine and organics
Activated carbon removes chlorine, taste compounds and organic contaminants. The first taste-defining stage.
03
Reverse osmosis
Sub-micron purification
RO membranes filter water to a sub-micron level, removing dissolved solids, salts and trace contaminants.
04
Mineralisation
Ca · Mg · K added
Calcium, magnesium and potassium are precisely added back to a controlled mineral profile.
05
pH stabilisation
pH 10, stable
The mineral content brings water to a stable alkaline pH of 10. Verified per batch.
06
H₂ infusion and fill
Molecular hydrogen, sealed
Molecular hydrogen is dissolved at the bottling stage. The bottle is sealed immediately to retain dissolved H₂ and reduced ORP.
The full 14-stage sequence includes additional micron filtration, ozonation and quality testing steps between each major phase.
Quality credentials and document status
Quality credentials. Evidence you can check.
Our production standards include food safety, bottled-water quality and religious dietary certification. Read the scope and evidence status of each below. Current documents, dates and product scope are available in our evidence register.
Beth Din of South Africa. pH10 alkaline ionized water and PureSafe still water. Valid to 31 August 2027; not Kosher for Passover.
i
Halaal
SANHA. Listed pH10 still sizes: 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 5L; PureSafe: 500ml and 1.5L. Valid to 30 June 2027.
What we make
Two product lines. One trusted brand.
Same factory, same standards, same quality systems. Choose the water that suits your taste, budget and bottle size.
FromR211
Designer Water pH10®
Our flagship range. 14-stage purified, mineralised with calcium, magnesium and potassium, with a stable pH of 10. Available in 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 5L cases. The product 96.9% of 390 non-customer respondents preferred in our taste test.
11-stage purified still water at pH 8.5, with trace minerals and the same quality credentials. Built as a clean, affordable everyday option for homes, offices, hospitality and events that want certified water without the alkaline premium.
Dietary certification applies to the products listed in the current certificate register. SANHA lists pH10 still water in 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 5L, and PureSafe in 500ml and 1.5L. The Kosher certificate covers pH10 alkaline ionized water and PureSafe still water; not Kosher for Passover.