Like all water, well water can take on many forms. Depending on your location, the alkalinity of your well water can drastically vary, and will even vary from well to well. And similarly, the opinions that people have of alkalinity, vary vastly.
What is Alkalinity?
The alkalinity of your water is really just the measure of how easily your water can neutralize acids, and how much carbonate (or bicarbonate) is present in your water- or in other words, how much limestone is dissolved in the water. The alkalinity of your water works beside the pH level of your water. If your water has high alkalinity then acids will not affect pH levels as much as it would if your alkalinity was low.
Alkalinity is a scale, similar to pH, measuring the amount of carbonate milligrams per liter of water. Typical alkalinity falls somewhere between 20 to 200 mg/L, and high alkalinity is at 300mg/L and up.
Perks of High Alkalinity
Although it may sound scary, high alkalinity can actually be a good thing, and is desired by many. For well water especially, high alkalinity can do a lot of good by keeping your water safe to drink. Since high alkalinity helps to combat acids, alkalinity can actually help to stabilize your pH levels.
Because of its ability to neutralize acids, it also has been shown to be a big help in soothing acid reflux. Some even say it can help with a whole slew of health concerns, although there’s little credible evidence to support much past acid reflux. But it does help to provide the body with essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, meaning that it does have at least some health benefits.
Problems with High Alkalinity
To some, high alkalinity can seem like a blessing, but to others, a curse. Although it can be a helpful boost of minerals in the body when consumed, it has a seriously funny taste that many people find undrinkable. It also can cause some people negative affects when drinking it, such as skin irritation or gastrointestinal issues. Messing with the acidity of the body can also cause your stomach acid to lower, which makes you more susceptible to illness. Messing with it can also negatively affect the pH levels, causing Metabolic Alkalosis.
Aside from the body, high alkalinity water can also cause issues in your home, staining sinks, showers, bathtubs, faucets, etc. As if that isn’t bad enough, it can also cause scale buildup in your pipes, leading to poor water pressure and pipe and fixture replacement.
Trust the Experts
There’s pros and cons to both sides of the high alkalinity debate, and we know some people have staked their flag deep in the dirt of one camp or another. In general, we recommend keeping an average to slightly above average alkalinity for well owners to help combat a bit of the acidity from the elements. But what about you? Are you team high alkalinity or team normal alkalinity? Or heck- team low alkalinity? Let us know.
At Faulstick Plumbing, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time. Give us a call at 570-992-0447 to discuss your needs today!
