★ The Complete Guide · 2026

What is alkaline water, really?

A straight definition, the pH scale explained, the minerals that make it different, and how it's made. Written by the people who bottle it in South Africa.

pH 10+ 14-stage Filtration 6 Certifications
Independently Certified SANBWA ISO 22000 Kosher Halal GC Mark GFSI
The Short Answer

Alkaline water is water with a pH above 7.

The pH scale runs from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Tap water in South Africa typically sits between pH 6.5 and 7.5. Alkaline water rises above pH 7.5, usually through added minerals or controlled ionisation.

Designer Water pH10® reaches pH 10+ through a 14-stage filtration and remineralisation process. It is the highest verifiable pH of any premium bottled water in South Africa.

The difference you actually feel is not the number — it's the calcium, magnesium and potassium added during mineralisation, the smoothness, and the way the water sits on the palate.

pH 10+
Designer Water
Tap = 6.5 – 7.5. Spring = 6.5 – 8.0. Our 14-stage process holds pH 10+ batch after batch.
★ How The pH Scale Works

Where your drinks actually sit on the scale.

Every drink has a pH. Some are surprisingly acidic. Here's the spread.

024678101214
2.5
Cola

Highly acidic — erodes enamel.

6.5–7.5
Tap / Purified

SA municipal water sits here.

7.0–8.5
Spring

Varies by source geology.

pH 10+
Designer Water

Verifiable, consistent per batch.

★ Three Essential Minerals

What's actually in alkaline water.

It's not just pH. The mineral profile is what makes alkaline water different — and what the WHO has recognised as a meaningful source of essential minerals.

Ca
Calcium

Bones, teeth and muscle function

Essential for skeletal health, muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Recognised dietary contribution from drinking water.

Mg
Magnesium

Energy and cardiovascular health

Required for over 300 enzyme systems. Plays a role in energy metabolism and nervous system regulation.

K
Potassium

Fluid balance and electrolyte regulation

Critical electrolyte for muscle contractions, nerve transmission and fluid balance, particularly during exercise.

★ How It's Made

From source water to pH 10 in 14 stages.

Most bottled water goes through three filtration stages. Designer Water uses fourteen. Here are the four key phases.

01

Pre-filtration

Sediment and multi-media filtration strip out particulates before the membrane stage.

02

Reverse Osmosis

High-pressure RO membrane removes virtually all dissolved solids, ions and contaminants.

03

UV + Ozone

UV sterilisation and ozone treatment provide microbiological safety without chemicals.

04

Mineralisation

Controlled doses of calcium, magnesium and potassium bring pH to 10+ with verified consistency.

★ How It Compares

Alkaline vs tap vs spring vs purified.

The four water types you'll find on a South African shelf or at a tap, side by side.

Water TypepHMineralsBest For
Alkaline (Designer Water pH10®)10+Ca, Mg, K addedDaily hydration with smoother taste profile
Tap6.5–7.5Municipal additivesGeneral use; varies by municipality
Spring6.5–8.0Variable by sourceNatural minerals — geology dependent
Purified6.5–7.0Stripped outClean, neutral water with no mineral profile
★ Try It · pH 10 Water

Designer Water, in the size that suits you.

Six sizes, one alkaline mineral profile. The 10L drops to under R10 per litre.

Frequently Asked

What people ask about alkaline water.

What does alkaline water actually do?

The most evidence-supported effects are improved hydration markers (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2016) and symptom relief for laryngopharyngeal reflux (Koufman & Johnston, JAMA Otolaryngology 2012). Designer Water also adds calcium, magnesium and potassium during mineralisation, which the WHO has recognised as a meaningful dietary contribution.

What we don't claim: cures, prevents or treats any disease.

How is alkaline water different from regular bottled water?

Standard purified bottled water goes through 3-stage filtration that strips out minerals. Designer Water's 14-stage process purifies first and then adds minerals back (Ca, Mg, K) to lift the pH to 10+ with verifiable consistency. Most bottled water sits between pH 6.5 and 7.5.

Is alkaline water safe to drink every day?

Yes. Designer Water pH10® is safe for daily consumption for the whole family. If you're new to high-pH water, start with one or two glasses per day and increase as you find comfortable.

Can I make alkaline water at home?

You can, but the result is hard to control. Baking soda, lemon water, pH drops and machine ionisers all produce variable pH depending on the source water and method. Designer Water's mineralisation process is audited under SANBWA and ISO 22000 — every batch tested for pH and mineral content.

Read more in our guide to making alkaline water at home.

What's the best alkaline water in South Africa?

If you're optimising for highest pH, most certifications and strongest taste-test performance, Designer Water pH10® leads the South African market. We hold six certifications and 96.9% of participants preferred Designer Water in independent taste tests (n=574).

Where can I buy alkaline water near me?

Designer Water is available through our online shop with nationwide delivery, our Master Distributor network, or any of 5,500+ Waterpreneurs operating across all nine South African provinces.

Ready To Try It

pH 10+. 14 stages. Six certifications.

Designer Water is the most independently certified premium alkaline water in South Africa. Start with a case.

SANBWA ISO 22000 Kosher · Halal GC Mark · GFSI