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What pH actually measures, where common drinks sit on the scale, why most pH strips give bad readings, and what to look for on a bottled water label.
0–14 pH Scale 7 Neutral pH 10+ Designer WaterpH is short for "potential of hydrogen". It measures how acidic or alkaline (basic) a liquid is. The lower the number, the more acidic. The higher, the more alkaline. Each step on the scale is 10× the strength of the previous step.
Some drinks are surprisingly acidic. The pH of what you put in your mouth affects taste, mouthfeel, and over the long term, tooth enamel.
| Drink | pH Range | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Battery acid (reference) | 0.5 – 1.0 | Extreme |
| Lemon juice | 2.0 – 2.6 | Acidic |
| Cola / sparkling soft drinks | 2.4 – 3.0 | Acidic |
| Orange juice | 3.3 – 4.2 | Acidic |
| Coffee | 4.5 – 5.5 | Slightly acidic |
| Sparkling water (still pH; flavoured drops it) | 3.5 – 5.0 | Slightly acidic |
| Tap water (South Africa, typical) | 6.5 – 7.5 | Neutral |
| Purified bottled water | 6.5 – 7.0 | Neutral |
| Spring water | 6.5 – 8.0 | Near-neutral |
| Sea water | 7.5 – 8.4 | Slightly alkaline |
| Designer Water pH10® | 10+ | Alkaline |
| Baking soda solution | 8.0 – 9.0 | Alkaline |
| Household ammonia | 11 – 12 | Highly alkaline |
The pH of your drinking water affects taste, the mineral profile, and over the long term may influence digestive comfort.
pH affects mouthfeel. Lower-pH water can taste "flat" or tinny. Higher-pH water, when paired with the right minerals, tastes smoother and fuller. The 96.9% taste-test result for Designer Water comes from this combination, not from pH alone.
Alkaline water typically carries dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) that raise the pH. The WHO has noted drinking water can be a meaningful source of essential minerals — particularly in regions where dietary intake is variable.
Research published in JAMA Otolaryngology (Koufman & Johnston, 2012) examined alkaline water above pH 8.8 as part of a dietary protocol for laryngopharyngeal reflux. The study found the protocol matched or exceeded standard medication.
If you want to verify what's in your glass, here are the three common methods — ranked by reliability.
Digital probe meters give accurate readings if calibrated regularly with buffer solutions. This is what we use in our quality lab.
✓ Reliable · Lab grade
SANBWA-accredited labs run titration tests for water producers. The most accurate option for batch verification, but not practical at home.
✓ Most accurate
Cheap strips are designed for liquids with Total Dissolved Solids above 150 ppm. Designer Water sits below 50 ppm — strips can't read it accurately.
✗ Unreliable on pure water
Designer Water reaches pH 10+ through a 14-stage filtration and remineralisation process. Verified per batch. Available in six sizes.
There is no single ideal pH. The South African National Standards for drinking water (SANS 241) specify a pH between 5 and 9.7 as acceptable. Most municipal tap water sits 6.5 – 7.5. If you want a higher mineral profile and smoother taste, alkaline water above pH 7.5 is the typical choice.
Designer Water pH10® holds a verifiable pH of 10 or higher. Every batch is tested with a calibrated pH meter under our SANBWA and ISO 22000 protocols. The pH printed on the bottle is what's actually in the bottle.
You can try, but for pure water you'll get unreliable results. pH strips are designed for liquids with Total Dissolved Solids above 150 ppm. Designer Water sits below 50 ppm — too clean for strips to read accurately. A calibrated digital pH meter is the only home-friendly accurate option.
Municipal water comes from different sources (rivers, dams, boreholes) and goes through different treatment processes in each metro. Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban water all have slightly different mineral profiles and pH levels. SANS 241 keeps everything within 5 – 9.7, but the spread is real.
Slightly. Boiling drives off dissolved CO₂, which can raise the pH by 0.5 – 1.0 points temporarily. The water returns to baseline as it cools and re-absorbs CO₂ from the air. The effect is small and short-lived.
Yes. Designer Water pH10® is safe for daily consumption. SANS 241 explicitly allows pH up to 9.7 in drinking water, and the JAMA acid reflux study used water above pH 8.8 as a daily intervention without adverse effects. As with any water, the benefit comes from consistent adequate hydration throughout the day.
Designer Water tests pH on every batch. SANBWA + ISO 22000 audited. Six independent certifications. Order online or pick up from 5,500+ Waterpreneurs.