Signs Your Drinking Water is Acidic and How to Deal With It

 

Have you ever noticed a sour taste or strange odor in your drinking water? It might be due to its acidity which can be harmful to your health and home plumbing.

In this article, we will be discussing different signs that your drinking water is acidic and how to deal with it. So, let’s start the things with the definition of acidic water first.  

What is Acidic Water? 

Acidic water is water that has a pH level below 7, indicating that it is more acidic than neutral. The pH score of water ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 indicating that it is most acidic while 14 indicates it is mostly alkaline.

There can be a number of reasons why water becomes acidic.

Natural sources: Water can become acidic through natural sources due to different geological factors. Let us explain in a better way. Whenever the water comes into contact with certain types of rocks, like granite, it Transform acidic.

Corrosion of plumbing pipes: Another reason why water becomes acidic is the corrosion of plumbing pipes. Corrosive water pipes release toxic metals into the water, Generating it to Transform acidic.

Agriculture: Different kinds of fertilizers or pesticides that are Applied in agriculture can get into the groundwater, Generating it to become acidic.

These are some major sources through which water can become acidic. Now, let’s move on to the signs of acidic water.

Signs Your Drinking Water is Acidic:

There are various signs that your drinking water may be acidic. So, without getting into any additional details, lets head towards the ways:

⦁ Sour Taste:

If the water taste is metallic or sour, it could be a sign that it is acidic. This is so because, acidic water usually contains toxic metals like iron, copper, etc. The presence of these kinds of metals in the water gives it a metallic taste.

⦁ Corrosion of Pipes:

Another sign is that acidic water can damage pipes and cause leaks and other plumbing issues over time.

⦁ Blue-Green Stains:

Acidic water can stain your sinks, toilets, and other fixtures with blue-green marks. This is because acidic water is caused by the corrosion of copper pipes, releasing copper ions that mix with other substances in the water, causing blue-green stains on fixtures.

These stains can be tricky to remove and might need professional cleaning or fixture replacement.

⦁ Small pinhole leaks

If you notice small pinhole leaks in your home’s plumbing system, then this is a strong indication that the water passing through it is acidic. With the Corridor of time, acidic water can corrode the pipes, resulting in small Spills in the water pipes.

⦁ Strange or discolored water:

If the water that is coming into your tap has a strange color, like cloudy, then there is a strong chance it is acidic. This is so because, acidic water can cause sediment or other kinds of particles to leach into the water, resulting in strange or discolored water.

⦁ Dry Skin and Hair:

Acidic water can cause skin rashes and itching, and make your hair brittle and prone to breakage. If you Incident any of these symptoms, it's important to test your water and take action to improve its quality.

If you notice any of these Indications in your water, then there is a Opportunity that it is acidic. For confirmation, you can consider testing it from a certified laboratory.

How to Deal With Acidic Water – Different Ways

Chemical treatments

The very first way to treat acidic water is through chemical treatments. You should consider adding different chemicals to the water, which raise its overall pH value. One such chemical that can be used for this Intention is sodium carbonate.

However, using chemical treatments to deal with acidic water can be dangerous. This is As you have to add the right Quantity of chemicals to the water. This is why, it is always recommended you should hire a professional that will perform the chemical treatment process.

One more thing, this method is usually used to deal with highly acidic water.

Utilize RO filters

Reverse osmosis filters can also be used to treat acidic water. They utilize a special semi-permeable membrane that efficiently captures and removes certain minerals that contribute to acidic water. Moving on, these are also very effective at removing a number of different contaminants, along with minerals.

But remember, RO filters require regular maintenance for optimal treatment of acidic water.

Consider corrosion-free plumbing:

As you already know, corrosion of plumbing is one of the major causes of why water becomes acidic. So, treat acidic water you should go for plumbing that is resistant to corrosion. Consider opting for water pipes that are made of PVC.

Doing this will prevent your plumbing from corrosion, resulting in safe and clean water.

Acid injection systems:

Most of you may not be aware of this way of treating acidic water. An acid injection system is a special kind of system that uses a chemical called soda ash to adjust the pH level of acidic water.

These systems use peristaltic pump technology to mix soda ash with acidic water before it enters your home. This helps prevent corrosion caused by acidic water. These systems need regular maintenance and care, but it is necessary to use them if your water is very acidic to protect your health and home.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Acidic Water

What health risks are associated with drinking acidic water?

There are numerous serious health risks linked with drinking acidic water, some of which are listed below:

⦁ Tooth decay

⦁ Damaged bones

⦁ Skin issues

How to prevent the water from becoming acidic?

There are multiple ways that you can use in order to prevent the water from becoming acidic; these are:

⦁ Regular testing of water

⦁ Update your plumbing to corrosion-free pipes

Final thoughts

Acidic water is becoming a common problem nowadays, mainly due to corrosion-affected pipelines. Exposure to acidic water can be dangerous for both human health, plumbing systems, and home appliances. This is why, it is essential to be completely aware of the different Symbols that will Show the acidity of water.