What pH is Aquafina Water? A Detailed Look at Acidity

According to official sources, the pH of Aquafina water falls within a range of 5.5 to 7.0. This slightly acidic to neutral measurement is a direct result of the extensive purification process Aquafina undergoes, which removes naturally occurring minerals that often act as buffering agents.

Quick Summary

This article explores the specific pH range of Aquafina water, explaining how its advanced purification methods lead to a slightly acidic result. We examine the effects of mineral content on water pH and compare Aquafina's acidity to other bottled brands, helping you understand what's really in your bottle.

Key Points

• Slightly Acidic pH: Aquafina's pH typically ranges from 5.5 to 7.0, making it slightly acidic to neutral.

• Purification Method: The low pH is a result of the reverse osmosis process, which strips the water of its natural minerals.

• Mineral Content: Because the water is mineral-free, it lacks the buffering agents that prevent it from becoming acidic.

• CO2 Absorption: Without minerals, the water readily absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, forming carbonic acid and lowering its pH.

• Safe for Consumption: The slightly acidic nature of Aquafina is generally considered safe for healthy individuals and is far less acidic than many common beverages.

• Source vs. Treatment: The pH of bottled water is heavily influenced by its source and whether minerals are added back after purification, as seen in brands like Essentia and Smartwater compared to Aquafina.

Understanding the pH of Aquafina Water

The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is, with a range from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is alkaline. Most people assume bottled water is perfectly neutral, but in reality, the pH can vary widely depending on its source and how it has been treated.

Aquafina is known for its purity, a result of its proprietary "HydRO-7™" purification system. This intensive, seven-step process includes reverse osmosis, ozonation, and other filtration techniques designed to strip the water of minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids. While this process effectively removes impurities, it also eliminates the natural mineral content that helps buffer the water's pH. When water lacks these buffering minerals, it becomes more susceptible to changes in pH from absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. This reaction forms carbonic acid, which lowers the water's pH, often resulting in a slightly acidic measurement. This is why Aquafina's pH is typically reported in the 5.5 to 7.0 range, positioning it on the acidic side of neutral.

The Purification Process and Mineral Content

Unlike many spring waters that draw their character from mineral-rich aquifers, Aquafina begins as municipal tap water. The multi-stage purification is what defines the final product. Here is a breakdown of the key steps:

• Reverse Osmosis: This is the core of the process, using a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved solids, including minerals, salts, and other contaminants. It is extremely effective at producing very pure water.
• Activated Carbon Filtration: This step removes organic compounds, chlorine, and other chemicals that could affect the taste or odor of the water.
• Ozonation: Before bottling, ozone is used to disinfect the water, providing an extra layer of microbial protection.

The result is water with a very low total dissolved solids (TDS) count, often under 10 parts per million (ppm). This mineral-deficient state is what makes the water's final pH slightly acidic and more susceptible to CO2 absorption from the air, whether in the bottle or after being opened.

Comparing Aquafina's pH to Other Bottled Waters

Understanding what pH is Aquafina water is best done in context by comparing it to other popular brands. The pH of bottled water can vary dramatically based on its source (e.g., spring, artesian, municipal) and its treatment process (e.g., purified, mineralized, alkalized). The following table provides a quick comparison of approximate pH levels for several common bottled water brands, highlighting the differences in processing.

Brand	Source	Purification/Treatment	Typical pH	Acidity Level
Aquafina	Municipal	Purified (Reverse Osmosis)	5.5–7.0	Slightly Acidic
Fiji	Artesian Aquifer	Natural Filtration	7.6–7.8	Slightly Alkaline
Dasani	Municipal	Purified (Adds Minerals)	~5.6	Acidic
Evian	Spring	Natural Filtration	7.4–7.5	Slightly Alkaline
Smartwater	Municipal	Purified (Adds Electrolytes)	~6.7–7.0	Neutral
Essentia	Municipal	Ionized Filtration	9.5	Alkaline

As the table demonstrates, Aquafina and Dasani, both sourced from municipal supplies and purified, tend to be more acidic. Brands like Fiji, Evian, and Essentia, which either come from natural, mineral-rich sources or are specifically alkalized, exhibit higher pH levels.

Is an Acidic pH Safe for Consumption?

For most healthy individuals, consuming water with a slightly acidic pH, such as Aquafina, is not a cause for concern. The human body has efficient mechanisms, like the kidneys and lungs, to regulate its own pH balance. While some studies suggest that very acidic water might have minor effects on dental health over prolonged exposure, the consensus is that it is safe for consumption in a balanced diet. The pH of foods and beverages we consume daily, such as coffee (around pH 4.5) or soda (pH 2.5–3.5), are far more acidic than Aquafina. For those specifically seeking to increase their intake of alkaline substances, choosing a naturally alkaline spring or treated ionized water is a more direct approach.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of what pH is Aquafina water can be answered with a range of 5.5 to 7.0, typically leaning toward the slightly acidic side. This is not a flaw in the product but a direct consequence of the advanced reverse osmosis purification process designed to remove impurities and minerals. While this contrasts with the higher pH of naturally alkaline spring waters, it does not pose a health risk for the average consumer. Ultimately, the best water for an individual depends on personal preference and any specific health goals they may have. To learn more about water purification standards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides comprehensive resources on safe drinking water.

Note: Specific pH measurements can vary slightly depending on the testing method, temperature, and specific bottle tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact pH of Aquafina water?

According to PepsiCo, the maker of Aquafina, the pH falls within a range of 5.5 to 7. Due to testing variations and the absence of mineral buffers, it often registers on the lower, more acidic end of this spectrum.

Why is Aquafina slightly acidic?

Aquafina's acidity is caused by its extensive purification process, specifically reverse osmosis, which removes naturally occurring minerals. Without these minerals, which normally stabilize pH, the water becomes more susceptible to absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and forming carbonic acid.

Is an acidic pH level in drinking water bad for you?

For most healthy people, consuming slightly acidic water like Aquafina is not a health concern. The human body has multiple regulatory systems to maintain a stable pH balance. Concerns about health impacts are generally unfounded for water within this range.

How does Aquafina's pH compare to tap water?

Tap water pH can vary widely by location but is typically regulated to be near neutral (7.0) and often includes minerals that make it slightly alkaline. Aquafina, being a purified water without added minerals, tends to be more consistently on the slightly acidic side.

What is the difference in pH between purified water and spring water?

Purified water, like Aquafina, is processed to remove minerals and often results in a slightly acidic pH. Spring water is naturally filtered and retains its mineral content, which can result in a more neutral or alkaline pH, like Evian or Fiji.

Can the pH of Aquafina change over time?

Yes, because Aquafina is mineral-free, its pH can be affected by external factors, most notably the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. The pH might change slightly after the bottle has been opened, but it remains within a safe range.

Does the acidic pH of Aquafina affect the taste?

The purification process and removal of minerals give Aquafina its clean, crisp taste. Some consumers can perceive a slight difference in taste between mineral-free water and mineral-rich alkaline water, but the slight acidity of Aquafina is generally not pronounced enough to be detected by most.