You can make reverse osmosis water alkaline through alkaline filters, trace mineral drops, alkaline water bottles, alkaline water pitchers, pink Himalayan salt, etc. You can alkalize reverse osmosis drinking water by reintroducing essential mineral salts to raise the pH level of your pure water.
If you need proof of the efficacy of these solutions, you can test your remineralized water with pH strips or pH meters.
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Acidic or Alkaline Water?
RO water is neither acidic nor alkaline water. The reverse osmosis system eliminates up to 99.9% of contaminants and total dissolved solids from your drinking water, making it pure. This means RO water has a neutral pH level within the range of 7-7.5.
However, reverse osmosis water can become acidic water if it’s exposed to air. The reason is that when pure water is exposed to air, it absorbs large quantities of carbon dioxide.
The presence of this gas triggers the production of carbonic acid, dropping the water pH to a range between 5-5.5.
Conversely, reverse osmosis water can become alkaline water when alkaline minerals such as calcium and magnesium are added back into your drinking water after filtration.
How to Make Reverse Osmosis Water Alkaline
If you prefer drinking alkaline water to drinking reverse osmosis water, you can do any of the following to make reverse osmosis water alkaline:
Trace Mineral Drops
This is the cheapest way to make your reverse osmosis water alkaline. We recommend getting quality and reliable trace mineral drops from well-known manufacturers for the best results. You can add these mineral drops to your glass of drinking water before consumption.
Alternatively, if you prefer to alkalize a larger quantity of RO water, you can add these mineral drops to your water container, such as a pitcher.
Trace mineral drops can last you weeks or months, depending on your water usage or consumption. The cost varies depending on the brand.
Alkaline Water Filter
This is another way to remineralize reverse osmosis water. If you’re using an under-sink RO system, this is the ideal method to introduce alkaline minerals back into your water.
Many RO systems are equipped with this filter for those who want to correct the mineral deficiency and make reverse osmosis water alkaline.
If the RO system you purchased doesn’t have this filter, there’s nothing to worry about. You have to purchase the remineralizing filter and install it at your primary waterline and shortly after your RO systems to produce remineralized RO water.
Compared to using mineral drops, adding trace minerals is a more convenient method. The alkaline filter produces alkaline water, which comes out of your faucet directly.
Many remineralized filters add calcium carbonate to your purified water to give it a slightly alkaline nature. Other filters add magnesium, and others add as much as five minerals to your remineralized RO water.
Though they are not as affordable as mineral drops, these water systems cost an average of $80, making them pocket-friendly. The remineralized filter cartridge is low-maintenance because it requires replacement every six months.
RO systems with this filter cost more than the standard RO unit, but if you want to get the filter independently, make sure it comes with its connections and housing. One more thing, ensure it isn’t designed to be part of a bigger water system.
Alkaline Water Bottles
This is arguably the most convenient means of making RO water alkaline. You have to fill up this bottle with RO water and take it wherever you want to go.
There’s nothing to set up; the water bottle is equipped with a filter designed to increase your RO water pH and improve its water quality. It adds bicarbonate salts to your bottled water, giving it a better taste.
It’s affordable as the price ranges between $30 and $50, but its maintenance is a significant drawback. It requires a filter replacement every six weeks, but the precise duration depends on the manufacturer and the quantity of minerals it adds to your water.
Alkaline Pitchers
This option works very similarly to an alkaline bottle; it adds a specific concentration of minerals to the water it contains. Unlike the alkaline bottle, the pitcher takes more time for remineralization.
If you’re using an under-sink RO system, you can simply fill your pitcher with tap water and give it a few minutes. It’s very affordable with a price range of $20-$40.
Pink Himalayan Salt
The Pink Himalayan salt is different from your regular table salt; it has less sodium content and is dense with alkaline salts.
This salt is rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. To use this salt for remineralization, place it in a glass jar till the jar is a quarter-full. Then fill your jar to the brim with water and leave it for a day.
The water it produces is known as sole water, which has more benefits for the body than even remineralized water. This water helps the body achieve electrolyte balance, giving it a better hydration capacity, and it’s also a health booster.
You can easily access this salt in stores. However, it takes a long time, which won’t sit well with many people who want alkaline water fast.
Water Ionizers
A water ionizer is an appliance that utilizes the process of electrolysis to enhance water pH by separating water molecules into alkaline and acidic components.
Water ionizers are also known as water electrolyzers. You can either get a water ionizer or purchase ionized water.
Ionized water provides many benefits, such as boosting your gastrointestinal health. Some people also believe it helps slow down the aging process.