Which Bottled Water Is Acidic? A Guide to pH Levels

November 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), public drinking water should ideally fall within a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5. However, many popular purified and bottled waters on the market, such as Dasani and Aquafina, can have an acidic pH below this recommended range. Understanding which bottled water is acidic can be crucial for those concerned about dental health, heavy metal exposure, and overall wellness.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals which bottled water brands are acidic, explains why water's pH level matters for health, and provides a comparison table of common brands. It also explores the causes of acidity and how to measure pH at home.

Key Points

Dasani and Aquafina are acidic: Due to reverse osmosis purification stripping minerals, popular brands like Dasani and Aquafina often have a pH below 7.
Acidity erodes tooth enamel: Consistently drinking acidic water can damage tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities and decay.
Purification methods affect pH: Reverse osmosis and distillation remove minerals, lowering the pH, while mineral-rich springs and added electrolytes can raise it.
Test pH at home: You can easily check the pH of your bottled water using pH test strips or a more accurate electronic pH meter.
Alternatives exist: If concerned, choose naturally alkaline spring waters like Fiji or Evian, or consider a home water filtration system for control over your water's pH.
Corrosive to plumbing: Acidic water can be corrosive to your home's pipes, potentially causing heavy metals to leach into your drinking supply.

Understanding the pH Scale and Bottled Water

The pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14, measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while anything below 7 is acidic and anything above is alkaline. While pure water theoretically has a neutral pH of 7, real-world water sources and purification processes cause significant variation. Bottled water, depending on its source and treatment, can land anywhere on this scale, and many popular options lean towards the acidic side.

The Impact of Water Source and Treatment

The reason some bottled water is acidic largely comes down to two factors: its origin and how it's purified. Natural spring water that flows over mineral-rich rocks tends to be more alkaline, as it absorbs minerals that increase its pH. In contrast, some purified bottled waters are made from municipal tap water that undergoes processes like reverse osmosis. This intensive filtering strips out not only contaminants but also beneficial, alkalizing minerals, leaving the water with a lower, more acidic pH.

List of Acidic Bottled Water Brands

Several widely available bottled water brands are known to be acidic. It's worth noting that pH levels can vary slightly depending on testing methods and source batches, but these brands are generally consistent in their low pH profile:

Dasani: Owned by Coca-Cola, Dasani is purified through reverse osmosis and then enhanced with a blend of minerals. Despite the re-mineralization, it often tests as acidic, with some reports showing a pH as low as 4.7.
Aquafina: A PepsiCo product, Aquafina also uses a multi-step purification process that includes reverse osmosis. Its pH is frequently measured in the acidic range, sometimes as low as 5.5.
Voss: While marketed as a premium water from Norway, tests have shown that some batches of Voss can be acidic, with pH levels around 5.0.
Smartwater: Another Coca-Cola subsidiary, Smartwater is vapor-distilled tap water with added electrolytes. It has been shown to be mildly acidic, with tests indicating a pH around 6.5.
Propel: As an enhanced fitness water, Propel often contains added ingredients for flavor and electrolytes, which can drive its pH down to an acidic range, sometimes as low as 3.5.

How Acidity Affects Your Body and Plumbing

Consuming acidic water over time can have several health and household effects. The most immediate concern is its impact on dental health. Acidic beverages can erode tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay and cavities. For those with sensitive stomachs or conditions like acid reflux, drinking acidic water can exacerbate symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. Furthermore, acidic water is corrosive and can leach heavy metals like lead and copper from your home's plumbing over time, which can then be ingested.

Acidity Comparison: Popular Bottled Water Brands


Brand	Source	Purification Process	Typical pH Range	Notes
Dasani	Municipal Source	Reverse Osmosis + Minerals	4.7-5.6	Purified tap water enhanced with minerals, often acidic.
Aquafina	Municipal Source	Reverse Osmosis	5.5-6.0	Purified tap water via reverse osmosis, removes minerals.
Voss	Artesian Source	Minimal Processing	5.0-6.0	Can be acidic despite artesian source, tests vary.
Smartwater	Municipal Source	Vapor Distillation + Electrolytes	6.5-6.9	Distilled water with added electrolytes, mildly acidic.
Fiji	Artesian Aquifer	Natural Filtration	7.4-7.8	Naturally alkaline due to volcanic rock filtration.
Essentia	Municipal Source	Electrolyte Enhanced	9.5	Ionized for a high, alkaline pH.
Evian	Glacial Spring	Natural Filtration	7.4-8.0	Naturally alkaline mineral water from the Alps.

How to Check Your Bottled Water's pH

If you want to verify the pH of your own bottled water, there are a few simple methods you can use.

pH Test Strips: These paper strips change color when dipped in water. You then compare the color to a provided chart to get an approximate pH reading. It's a quick and inexpensive method, though less precise than others.
Electronic pH Meter: For the most accurate and repeatable results, a digital pH meter is the best option. These devices need to be calibrated regularly but provide a precise numeric reading.
Liquid pH Test Kits: Similar to pool test kits, these involve adding a few drops of a universal indicator solution to a water sample. The color change reveals the approximate pH level.

It's also important to be mindful of confounding factors. Distilled water, for instance, can pick up carbon dioxide from the air, which makes it slightly more acidic over time. For the most accurate reading, test the water as soon as you open the bottle.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Bottled Water Wisely

While the occasional bottle of acidic water is unlikely to cause harm, regular consumption over an extended period could have minor but noticeable effects on dental health and sensitive stomachs. For those who drink bottled water frequently and are concerned about its pH, several naturally alkaline or specially treated brands are available. Opting for spring waters or alkaline-specific products can be a smart move. As an alternative, considering a home filtration system or simply drinking tap water (which is often pH-balanced by municipalities) are excellent, often more sustainable options. Ultimately, a little knowledge about what bottled water is acidic goes a long way in making an informed and healthier choice.

For more information on water quality and environmental standards, you can consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some water companies produce acidic water as a byproduct of the purification process, such as reverse osmosis, which removes minerals. The acidic flavor profile can be a side effect, though sometimes minerals are added back to control taste, as seen with brands like Dasani.

No, not all purified bottled water is acidic. While purification methods like reverse osmosis can lower pH, some companies add minerals back to achieve a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Also, natural spring and mineral waters may be alkaline due to their source.

Long-term, regular consumption of highly acidic water can potentially harm tooth enamel and aggravate digestive issues like acid reflux for sensitive individuals. However, for most people, occasional consumption is not a significant health risk.

On a pH scale of 0 to 14, a level of 7 is considered perfectly neutral. Values below 7 are acidic, while those above 7 are alkaline or basic.

You can use home water filters with a remineralization cartridge or add alkaline drops to your water. For tap water, a whole-house neutralizer system can be installed. For bottled water, choosing brands with a naturally higher pH is the easiest method.

Yes, sparkling bottled water tends to be acidic due to the carbonation process. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it forms carbonic acid, which lowers the pH.

Some health-conscious individuals, especially those focused on dental health or managing acid reflux, choose to avoid acidic bottled water in favor of neutral or alkaline options. However, for many, the pH of their water is not a primary concern.