pH is a measure of your water’s acidity. Water with elevated pH is known as Alkaline water. pH is measured on a scale from 0-14. Typical drinking water has a neutral pH of 7, and water that is considered Alkaline has a pH that ranges from 7 to 10. A variety of human and natural causes lead to changes in pH. A decrease in pH can result from acid rain or mine drainage, whereas an increase in pH can result from alkaline geologic conditions. Industrial waste, chemical run-off, and other commercial activities can also lead to very low or high pH conditions.

Some of the ions that contribute to TDS (total dissolved solids) can cause negative health outcomes. Elevated levels of magnesium and sulfate in combination can results in a laxative effect, while elevated sodium levels can be problematic for people on a low sodium diet. In addition, elevated nitrate levels are a health risk to pregnant women and infants. Total dissolved solids is the sum of the dissolved ions in the water, which can enter water via natural sources, sewage, urban and agricultural run-off, and industrial wastewater.

Total hardness is the sum of all hardness-contributing metals and minerals in your water. Mostly representative of calcium and magnesium, total hardness also includes contributions by barium, copper, zinc, iron, strontium and more. Water hardness may cause scaling and bad tasting tap water. Hardness contributes to white film on glassware and can make soap bubbles difficult to form.