pH Water Quality

The term "pH", as in pH water levels, is used to indicate acidity or alkalinity of a given water supply. pH water levels is not a measure of the quantity of acid or alkali, but rather a measure of the relationship of the acid to the alkali. The pH value of a solution, such as ph drinking water, describes its hydrogen-ion activity. The pH scale ranges between 0 and 14.
Acidic [ 0 ]========[ 7 ]=========[ 14 ] Alkaline

Typically all natural waters fall within the level of 6.0 to 8.0 pH. A value of 7.0 is considered to be a neutral pH (pH of distilled water). Levels of below 7.0 are acidic and values above 7.0 are alkaline. The pH levels of tap and drinking water will decrease as the content of CO2 increases. The pH levels of tap and drinking water will increase as the content of bicarbonate alkalinity increases. The ratio of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate alkalinity (within the range of 3.6 to 8.4) is an indication of the pH value of the water. Drinking and tap water with a pH level of 3.5 or below, generally contains mineral acids such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid.

pH Water Treatment - There are several methods of pH water treatment depending on if you need to increase water ph or lowering water ph. Before you make a choice about increasing or decreasing pH levels, it is best that you have done a pH water test. Below you can find a couple of simple pH water testing options. You can increase water pH by feeding sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, etc. into the water stream. A neutralizing filter containing Calcite (calcium carbonate - CaCO3 ) and/or Corosex (magnesium oxide - MgO) will combat low pH problems, if within the range of 5 to 6. the peak flow rate of a neutralizing filter is 6 gpm / sq. ft. Downflow filters require frequent backwashing is required to prevent "cementing of the bed". A 50 - 50 mix of the two seems to provide the best all around results. Upflow neutralizers don't experience the problem of "cementing" of the bed.