Acidic Water: Health Risks, Uses, and How to Test Your Water Supply

Water acidity is measured using the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14. When water has a pH level below 7, it’s classified as acidic. Understanding the acidity of your drinking water is crucial for protecting your health and your home’s plumbing system.

While some people promote acidic water for certain topical applications, drinking water with low pH levels can pose serious health risks due to heavy metal contamination and corrosive properties. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about acidic water, from its causes to its effects on your health.

Understanding Acidic Water and pH Levels

The pH scale is a measurement system that indicates how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Pure water at neutral pH measures exactly 7.0. Anything below this threshold is considered acidic, while values above 7.0 are alkaline or basic.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that public drinking water maintain a pH range between 6.5 and 8.5. While pH levels aren’t federally regulated as a primary contaminant, this range is suggested to prevent corrosion of pipes and minimize heavy metal leaching.

Acidic water typically has a pH of 6.5 or lower. The lower the pH number, the more acidic the water becomes, and the more potential problems it can cause.

What Causes Water to Become Acidic?

Natural Causes

Not all acidic water results from pollution. Several natural phenomena can lower water pH:

• Acid rain: When atmospheric pollutants combine with precipitation, they can create acidic rainfall that seeps into groundwater supplies
• Organic matter decomposition: Decaying leaves, plants, and other organic materials release organic acids into nearby water sources
• Soil microorganisms: Certain bacteria and microbes in soil produce acidic byproducts that can affect water pH
• Tree root systems: As roots grow and interact with minerals in soil, they can generate acids that infiltrate groundwater
• Geological formations: Some rock types naturally create acidic conditions in surrounding water

Industrial and Human-Made Causes

Unfortunately, many instances of acidic water stem from industrial activities and pollution:

• Mining operations and mineral extraction sites
• Chemical manufacturing facilities and industrial dumps
• Power generation plants
• Large-scale animal farming operations
• Landfills and waste disposal sites
• Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides

These sources often introduce additional contaminants alongside lowering pH, compounding the potential health risks.

Health Risks of Drinking Acidic Water

Heavy Metal Contamination

The primary concern with consuming acidic water is its tendency to leach heavy metals from pipes, soil, and surrounding materials. Low pH water acts as a solvent, dissolving metals it comes into contact with and carrying elevated concentrations of dangerous substances.

Common heavy metals found in acidic water include:

• Lead
• Arsenic
• Copper
• Cadmium
• Chromium
• Nickel
• Zinc

Exposure to these heavy metals through drinking water can lead to acute and chronic health problems. Short-term symptoms of heavy metal exposure may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramping and pain
• Diarrhea
• Chills and fever
• General weakness and fatigue
• Difficulty breathing

Long-term exposure to heavy metals is even more concerning, potentially causing:

• Immune system suppression
• Organ damage, particularly to kidneys and liver
• Neurological problems and cognitive decline
• Cardiovascular disease
• Increased cancer risk

Special Risks for Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heavy metal exposure from acidic water. Their developing bodies absorb metals more readily, and the impact on growing organs and systems can be severe.

Research has linked childhood heavy metal exposure to:

• Developmental delays and learning disabilities
• Behavioral disorders and attention problems
• Respiratory conditions including asthma
• Lowered IQ and cognitive impairment
• Increased risk of certain cancers later in life

Dental Health Concerns

The acidity of water directly affects your oral health. Tooth enamel, which protects teeth from decay, is susceptible to erosion from acidic substances.

While specific research on acidic groundwater and dental health is limited, studies on acidic beverages provide clear evidence. Drinks with a pH of 4.5 or lower significantly increase the risk of enamel erosion and cavity formation.

Regular consumption of acidic water may gradually wear away tooth enamel, leading to:

• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Higher cavity risk
• Tooth discoloration
• Weakened tooth structure

Potential Effects on Bone Health

While the relationship between dietary pH and bone health remains debated in scientific literature, the heavy metals commonly found in acidic water pose clear risks to skeletal health.

Studies have established connections between exposure to lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium and negative bone health outcomes, including:

• Reduced bone mineral density
• Increased fracture risk
• Impaired bone formation
• Accelerated bone loss

Damage to Home Plumbing Systems

Beyond health concerns, acidic water can cause significant damage to your home’s infrastructure. The corrosive nature of low pH water gradually dissolves metal pipes, leading to several problems:

• Blue-green stains on fixtures, sinks, and tubs (indicating copper corrosion)
• Metallic or bitter taste in tap water
• Pinhole leaks in pipes
• Reduced water pressure
• Costly plumbing repairs

As pipes corrode, they release more heavy metals into your water supply, creating a cyclical problem that worsens over time.

Potential Benefits of Acidic Water

While drinking acidic water is not recommended, topical applications may offer some advantages due to its antimicrobial properties.

Skin Health Applications

Human skin naturally maintains a slightly acidic pH, typically between 4.5 and 5.5. This “acid mantle” helps protect against harmful bacteria and maintains moisture balance.

Acidic water shows particular effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which commonly causes and worsens atopic dermatitis (eczema). Research suggests that topical application of acidic water may help:

• Reduce skin inflammation
• Decrease redness and itching
• Combat bacterial overgrowth on skin
• Maintain optimal skin pH
• Support skin barrier function

A study involving women with chronic atopic dermatitis found that bathing in acidic water produced results comparable to conventional wet-wrap dressing treatments for reducing symptom severity.

Many inflammatory skin conditions involve an increase in skin pH. Using acidic water may help restore the skin’s natural pH balance, potentially protecting against irritation and dehydration.

However, it’s important to note that research in this area remains limited. If you’re considering acidic water for skin conditions, consult with a dermatologist first.

Hair and Scalp Care

Like skin, hair and scalp also thrive at slightly acidic pH levels. Proponents claim acidic water can benefit hair in several ways:

• Helping manage dandruff by controlling fungal and bacterial growth
• Reducing hair breakage and split ends
• Enhancing shine and smoothness
• Closing hair cuticles for better moisture retention

Research has identified connections between certain bacteria and fungi (including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia species) and dandruff formation. Given acidic water’s antimicrobial properties, it might help address these scalp concerns.

Studies also show that shampoos with pH above 5.5 can increase friction and cause hair damage. However, direct research confirming that acidic water prevents hair loss or breakage is currently lacking.

Cleaning Fresh Produce

Acidic electrolyzed water—a specific type made using hydrochloric acid—has shown promise for food safety applications. Research indicates it can effectively reduce bacteria and foodborne pathogens on fruits and vegetables, including:

• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Listeria
• Other harmful microorganisms

However, it’s unclear whether naturally acidic water or other acidic water sources provide the same level of safety and effectiveness. More research is needed before recommending acidic water as a produce wash alternative.

Agricultural and Gardening Applications

Some plants prefer slightly acidic soil conditions for optimal growth. Acidic electrolyzed water sprays have demonstrated ability to reduce bacterial pathogens on plant seeds without harming germination or growth.

Potential benefits for plants include:

• Protection against certain bacterial diseases
• Reduced need for chemical pesticides
• Enhanced nutrient availability for acid-loving plants

However, extremely acidic water (pH 3.0 or lower) can harm plants by:

• Reducing nutrient absorption
• Limiting water uptake
• Damaging root systems
• Inhibiting beneficial soil microorganisms

Before using acidic water on plants, research the specific pH requirements for your plant species, as preferences vary significantly.

How to Test Your Water for Acidity

Testing your water’s pH is straightforward and inexpensive. Several methods are available:

pH Test Strips

These disposable strips change color when dipped in water, providing a quick pH estimate. They’re affordable but may be less precise than other methods.

Liquid pH Test Kits

These kits involve adding reagent drops to a water sample and comparing the resulting color to a chart. They typically offer better accuracy than test strips.

Digital pH Meters

Electronic meters provide the most accurate readings but cost more upfront. They’re ideal if you need to monitor pH regularly.

Professional Water Testing

For comprehensive analysis, including heavy metal content, consider hiring a certified laboratory. This is particularly important if you have a private well.

When to Test

Consider testing your water if you notice:

• Blue-green staining on fixtures
• Metallic taste in drinking water
• Pinhole leaks in plumbing
• Corroded pipe fittings
• Recent changes in water taste or appearance

Solutions for Acidic Water

For Public Water Systems

If you receive water from a municipal supplier and discover acidic pH levels (below 6.5), take these steps:

1. Contact your water company: Report your findings immediately. They’re responsible for investigating and addressing the issue
2. Use point-of-use filters: While waiting for resolution, install filters on drinking water taps or use filtering pitchers
3. Request follow-up testing: Ask your water company to test your home’s water supply
4. Document the issue: Keep records of pH readings, dates, and communications with the water company

For Private Wells

Well owners have more responsibility for addressing water quality issues:

Neutralizing Filters

These systems add alkaline minerals to water as it flows through, raising the pH. Common types include:

• Calcite filters: Use calcium carbonate to neutralize acidity; effective for mildly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.9)
• Magnesium oxide filters: More aggressive neutralization for pH levels below 6.0
• Blended media filters: Combine multiple materials for customized pH adjustment

Chemical Feed Pumps

These systems inject alkaline solutions (like soda ash) into water supplies to raise pH. They’re effective but require regular maintenance and chemical refills.

Whole-House Filtration Systems

Comprehensive systems can address pH issues while also removing other contaminants, including heavy metals. Options include:

• Reverse osmosis systems
• Multi-stage filtration units
• Combined neutralization and filtration systems

Temporary Solutions

While implementing permanent fixes:

• Use bottled water for drinking and cooking
• Install point-of-use filters on kitchen taps
• Run water for 30 seconds before use to flush pipes
• Avoid using hot water for cooking, as it leaches more metals

Maintenance and Monitoring

After installing treatment systems:

• Test water pH monthly to ensure effectiveness
• Replace filter media according to manufacturer recommendations
• Conduct annual comprehensive water testing for heavy metals
• Inspect and maintain neutralizing systems regularly
• Keep detailed maintenance records

Prevention Strategies

To minimize acidic water risks:

• Install copper or PVC pipes rather than lead pipes if renovating
• Test water before buying a home, especially if it has a private well
• Be aware of nearby industrial activities that could affect water quality
• Support environmental regulations that protect water supplies
• Educate family members about the importance of water quality

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult professionals if:

• pH consistently measures below 6.5
• Heavy metal testing shows elevated levels
• You notice corrosion throughout your plumbing system
• DIY solutions aren’t effectively raising pH
• You’re uncertain about which treatment system to install
• You experience health symptoms potentially related to water quality

Water treatment specialists can assess your specific situation and recommend appropriate solutions. If you experience symptoms that might be related to heavy metal exposure, consult with a healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

Acidic water—with a pH below 6.5—poses significant health risks primarily due to heavy metal contamination. Regular consumption may lead to acute poisoning symptoms and long-term health problems, including organ damage and developmental issues in children. The corrosive nature of acidic water also damages plumbing, creating a cycle of increasing metal contamination.

While drinking acidic water is not recommended, topical applications may benefit certain skin conditions and hair health due to antimicrobial properties. However, research supporting these uses remains limited.

Protecting your health starts with knowing your water’s pH level. Testing is simple, affordable, and provides crucial information about your water quality. If you discover acidic water in your home, take immediate action by contacting your water supplier or installing appropriate treatment systems.

Maintaining safe drinking water is essential for your family’s health and your home’s infrastructure. Regular testing, proper filtration, and prompt attention to pH issues will help ensure your water remains safe for consumption.

Sources:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Drinking Water Regulations
• United States Geological Survey – pH and Water
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Lead in Drinking Water
• World Health Organization – pH in Drinking Water
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry – Heavy Metals
• NSF International – Water Quality Information