Is Filtered Water Enough?

Alkaline water is often promoted as a premium drinking water option with a higher pH level than regular water. Some people choose it for taste, hydration, mineral content or general wellness. Others are more sceptical, especially because many alkaline water health claims are stronger than the evidence behind them.

So, is alkaline water actually better for you, or is clean filtered drinking water enough for most households?

The simple answer is this: alkaline water may be fine for many people to drink in moderation, but it should not be treated as a cure, medical treatment or guaranteed health upgrade. For everyday hydration, good-quality filtered water is often the more practical and cost-effective choice.

If your main goal is better tasting water at home, start by comparing Drinking Water Filtration Systems, Kitchen Water Filter Systems, Reverse Osmosis, Whole Home Water Filtration, Puretec Water Filtration Systems and broader Water Filters online with Installed Today.

Quick answer: is alkaline water worth it?

Alkaline water may be worth trying if you like the taste and prefer drinking it over plain water, but most health claims should be treated carefully.

For most households:

Standard water filters do not automatically make water alkaline. If alkaline water is the goal, the system must be designed for that purpose.

What is alkaline water?

Alkaline water is water with a pH level above neutral.

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14:

• pH below 7 is acidic

• pH 7 is neutral

• pH above 7 is alkaline

Regular drinking water is usually close to neutral, although the exact pH can vary depending on the source, treatment process and minerals present.

Alkaline water is commonly marketed with a pH around 8 to 9, although this can vary by product.

How is alkaline water made?

Alkaline water can be produced naturally or artificially.

Common methods include:

• Natural mineral content from rocks or springs

• Added alkaline minerals

• Electrolysis or ionisation

• Mineralising filters

• pH drops

• Baking soda added to water

• Some reverse osmosis remineralisation stages

The method matters. Naturally mineralised water is different from water adjusted with additives or an ioniser.

Alkaline water vs filtered water

Alkaline water and filtered water are not the same thing.

Filtered water focuses on reducing selected contaminants, tastes, odours, sediment or other unwanted substances.

Alkaline water focuses on raising pH.

A water filter does not need to make water alkaline to be useful. Many households simply want cleaner-tasting water from the kitchen tap.

Does a standard water filter make water alkaline?

Usually, no.

A standard water filter may reduce chlorine taste, odour, sediment and other selected impurities depending on the cartridge. But that does not mean it raises pH.

If you want alkaline water, you need to check whether the system includes:

• Mineralising media

• Alkaline cartridge

• pH-raising stage

• Remineralisation stage

• Manufacturer pH claims

• Cartridge replacement requirements

• Water testing guidance

Do not assume a carbon filter, whole home filter, UV system or reverse osmosis system automatically creates alkaline water.

Does reverse osmosis make alkaline water?

Not by itself.

A standard reverse osmosis system pushes water through a membrane to reduce many dissolved substances. Because reverse osmosis can reduce minerals, the finished water may not be alkaline unless the system includes a remineralisation or alkaline stage.

Reverse Osmosis may suit customers wanting more advanced drinking water filtration, but it should not be confused with alkaline water unless the specific product is designed to remineralise or raise pH.

Before choosing reverse osmosis, check:

• Water pressure

• Under-sink space

• Drain connection

• Storage tank requirements

• Cartridge replacement cost

• Membrane replacement cost

• Whether remineralisation is included

• Whether an alkaline stage is included

• Whether the system suits your water source

Is alkaline water better for hydration?

For most people, regular water and filtered water are effective for hydration.

Some small studies have explored whether alkaline water may affect hydration markers in certain situations, such as after exercise. However, that does not mean alkaline water is automatically better for everyone.

For everyday hydration, the bigger factors are usually:

• Drinking enough water

• Replacing fluids after sweating

• Reducing excessive sugary drinks

• Matching fluid intake to activity level

• Considering climate and work conditions

• Following medical advice if you have a health condition

If alkaline water helps you drink more water because you prefer the taste, that may be useful. But it should not be treated as a guaranteed hydration upgrade.

Is alkaline water good for acid reflux?

Some alkaline water claims focus on acid reflux.

There has been interest in whether higher-pH water may affect pepsin, an enzyme involved in reflux symptoms. However, this does not mean alkaline water is a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you have ongoing reflux, heartburn, swallowing problems, chest pain, vomiting, unexplained weight loss or symptoms that keep returning, speak with a healthcare professional.

For general household water quality, a drinking water filter may improve taste, but it should not be marketed as a reflux treatment.

Does alkaline water improve bone health?

Some research has explored alkaline water, minerals and bone-related markers. However, the evidence is not strong enough to say alkaline water reliably improves bone density or prevents bone loss.

Bone health depends on many factors, including:

• Calcium intake

• Vitamin D

• Protein intake

• Weight-bearing exercise

• Hormones

• Age

• Medical conditions

• Medications

• Overall diet

• Sun exposure

• Healthcare advice

Alkaline water should not be treated as a bone health solution.

Does alkaline water detox the body?

“Detox” is one of the most overused claims in water marketing.

Your body already manages pH and waste removal through systems including the kidneys, lungs, liver and digestive system.

There is no strong evidence that alkaline water “detoxes” the body in the way many marketing claims suggest.

For most people, a better wellness focus is:

• Drinking enough water

• Eating a balanced diet

• Reducing excessive alcohol

• Getting enough sleep

• Exercising regularly

• Following healthcare advice

• Choosing clean, good-tasting drinking water you will actually use

Can alkaline water change your body’s pH?

Your body tightly controls blood pH.

Drinking alkaline water does not simply make your whole body alkaline. Stomach acid, digestion, kidneys and breathing all help regulate pH balance.

This is why claims that alkaline water can “alkalise the body” or prevent serious disease should be treated with caution.

Alkaline water may change the pH of the water you drink, but that does not mean it changes your body chemistry in a dramatic or medically meaningful way.

Is alkaline water safe?

Alkaline water is generally considered safe for many healthy adults when consumed in moderation.

However, some people should be more cautious, especially if they have:

• Kidney disease

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Serious medical conditions

• Medication interactions

• Digestive issues

• Medical dietary restrictions

• Advice from a doctor to manage mineral intake

If you have kidney disease or another medical condition, speak with a healthcare professional before regularly drinking high-pH or mineral-altered water.

Who should be cautious with alkaline water?

Be cautious with alkaline water if you:

• Have kidney disease

• Have been told to manage potassium, calcium, sodium or mineral intake

• Have electrolyte imbalance

• Take medication that affects kidneys or electrolytes

• Have ongoing digestive issues

• Are using very high-pH water

• Are giving it to infants or vulnerable family members

• Are replacing medical treatment with water claims

Water should support health, not replace medical care.

Bottled alkaline water vs home filtered water

Bottled alkaline water can become expensive over time and creates plastic waste.

Home filtered water may be more practical for many households because it gives you filtered drinking water directly from the kitchen tap.

If your main concern is taste, a kitchen water filter may be a better long-term option than buying bottled alkaline water.

Alkaline water vs mineral water

Mineral water naturally contains dissolved minerals from its source.

Alkaline water may be naturally alkaline or artificially adjusted.

These are not always the same.

Mineral water may contain minerals such as:

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Bicarbonate

Alkaline water may contain added minerals or may be processed to raise pH.

The label and water source matter.

Alkaline water vs tap water

Tap water quality varies by location and water source.

Some people dislike tap water because of:

• Chlorine taste

• Chlorine odour

• Sediment

• Old pipe taste

• Hardness

• Metallic taste

• Tank water taste

• Local water source differences

If your tap water is safe but tastes unpleasant, a Kitchen Water Filter System or Drinking Water Filtration System may be enough.

If you are unsure what is in your water, a Water Quality Test Kit may help guide the next step.

Alkaline water vs reverse osmosis water

Reverse osmosis water and alkaline water are often marketed differently.

Reverse osmosis focuses on reducing many dissolved substances from drinking water.

Alkaline water focuses on pH.

Some reverse osmosis systems include a remineralisation stage to improve taste and restore minerals. Some may include an alkaline stage, but not all do.

Before choosing, ask:

• Do you want advanced filtration?

• Do you want higher pH?

• Do you want remineralised water?

• Do you have enough under-sink space?

• Is your water pressure suitable?

• Are you comfortable with cartridge and membrane maintenance?

• Does the system need a drain connection?

• Is the water for drinking only or the whole home?

Alkaline water and whole home filtration

Whole home filtration is usually about filtering water before it reaches taps, showers, laundries and appliances.

Whole Home Water Filtration may help with selected issues such as sediment, chlorine taste and odour, depending on the system and cartridge.

But whole home filtration does not automatically make water alkaline.

Before choosing a whole home filter, check:

• Water source

• Number of bathrooms

• Flow rate

• Water pressure

• Pipe size

• Cartridge type

• Sediment level

• Chlorine taste and odour goals

• Installation location

• Replacement cartridge cost

• Whether pH adjustment is actually needed

If alkaline drinking water is the goal, a kitchen-specific system may be more relevant than whole home filtration.

Alkaline water and kitchen filtration

Most households that care about drinking water start at the kitchen sink.

A Kitchen Water Filter System may suit:

• Drinking water

• Cooking water

• Tea and coffee

• Bottle filling

• Family kitchens

• Units and townhouses

• Homes that do not need whole home filtration

• Customers wanting filtered water without buying bottles

If you want filtered water from one neat tap, a 3-Way Kitchen Mixer Tap may be worth comparing with a compatible filtration system.

Alkaline water and Puretec filters

Puretec Water Filtration Systems include a wide range of drinking water, kitchen, whole home, reverse osmosis, UV, cartridges and service kits.

Puretec systems may suit customers wanting:

• Better tasting drinking water

• Kitchen filtration

• Whole home filtration

• Reverse osmosis

• UV treatment

• Rainwater or tank water treatment

• Replacement cartridges

• Service kits

• Water filter upgrades

Do not assume every Puretec filter makes water alkaline. Check the exact product, cartridge and treatment stage.

Should you choose alkaline water or filtered water?

For most households, filtered water is the better starting point.

Choose filtered water if your goal is:

• Better taste

• Less chlorine taste and odour

• Sediment reduction

• Better kitchen drinking water

• Whole home filtration

• Reverse osmosis drinking water

• Rainwater or tank water treatment

• Lower bottled water use

• Practical long-term maintenance

Choose alkaline water only if:

• You specifically prefer higher-pH water

• The product is designed to create alkaline water

• You understand the cartridge and maintenance requirements

• You are not relying on it for medical claims

• Your healthcare provider has not advised against it

Water filter types to compare

Different filters solve different problems.

Drinking water filters

Drinking Water Filtration Systems are designed for water you drink and cook with.

They may suit:

• Kitchen taps

• Drinking water

• Cooking

• Tea and coffee

• Bottle filling

• Better taste

• Everyday home use

Kitchen water filters

Kitchen Water Filter Systems are installed around the kitchen sink area.

They may suit:

• Under-sink filtration

• Dedicated filtered taps

• 3-way mixer setups

• Family kitchens

• Units and townhouses

Reverse osmosis systems

Reverse Osmosis may suit customers wanting more advanced drinking water filtration.

They usually need:

• Under-sink space

• Drain connection

• Water pressure

• Cartridge changes

• Membrane replacement

• Installer confirmation

Whole home water filters

Whole Home Water Filtration filters water at the main incoming line.

It may suit:

• Family homes

• Multiple bathrooms

• Sediment concerns

• Chlorine taste and odour goals

• Larger filtration needs

• Homes wanting filtered water beyond the kitchen

UV water filters

UV Water Filter Systems may suit rainwater tank, rural or private water supplies where microbiological treatment is required.

UV usually needs sediment pre-filtration and a suitable power supply.

Cartridges and service kits

Water Filter Cartridges and Service Kits are needed to maintain existing systems.

A water filter is only useful if the cartridge is replaced on schedule.

Water quality testing before choosing a filter

If you are unsure what is in your water, test before choosing.

A Water Quality Test Kit may be useful for:

• Rainwater tanks

• Bore water

• Rural properties

• Visible sediment

• Unusual taste

• Unusual odour

• Private water supplies

• Customers considering UV

• Customers unsure whether they need RO, carbon, sediment or another filter type

Testing can help avoid choosing the wrong system.

Common alkaline water claims to treat carefully

Be cautious with claims that alkaline water can:

• Cure disease

• Prevent cancer

• Detox the body

• Reverse ageing

• Dramatically improve performance

• Replace medication

• Fix chronic reflux without medical care

• Permanently change body pH

• Replace a balanced diet

These claims are often stronger than the evidence.

Common mistake: assuming higher pH means healthier water

Higher pH does not automatically mean healthier water.

Water quality depends on:

• Source

• Treatment

• Mineral content

• Contaminants

• Taste

• Safety

• Filtration

• Storage

• Plumbing

• Maintenance

• Suitability for the person drinking it

The best water is not always the water with the highest pH.

Common mistake: thinking all filters create alkaline water

Most filters do not create alkaline water.

A filter may improve taste or reduce selected impurities without raising pH.

Check the system specifications before buying.

Common mistake: choosing bottled alkaline water without comparing cost

Bottled alkaline water can cost much more over time than home filtered water.

It can also create plastic waste.

If you mainly want better tasting drinking water, a home drinking water filter may be more practical.

Common mistake: using alkaline water as medical treatment

Alkaline water should not be used as a replacement for medical care.

If you have reflux, kidney disease, digestive problems, bone health concerns or other health conditions, speak with a healthcare professional.

Common mistake: ignoring cartridge replacement

A filter is not a one-time purchase.

Ongoing maintenance may include:

• Cartridge replacement

• RO membrane replacement

• UV lamp replacement

• Service kits

• System cleaning

• Leak checks

• Flow checks

• Water pressure checks

Before ordering, check the long-term maintenance requirements.

Common mistake: choosing the wrong filter for the water source

Town water, tank water and bore water can require different filtration approaches.

Town water may need taste, odour or sediment filtration.

Tank water may need sediment filtration and UV treatment.

Bore water may need testing before choosing any system.

Choose based on the water source.

Supply-only water filters

Supply-only ordering can suit customers who already have their own plumber or installer arranged.

Supply only may suit:

• Builders

• Renovators

• Property managers

• Homeowners managing their own installation

• Acreage property owners

• Trade customers

• Customers outside supplied-and-installed service areas

Supply-only pricing generally does not include installation, fittings, valves, pipework changes, drilling, cabinetry changes, electrical work, drainage, pressure control or compliance upgrades unless clearly selected or included.

Before ordering supply only, your installer should confirm the system suits your water source, pressure, flow rate, pipework, installation location and filtration goal.

Supplied-and-installed water filters

Supplied-and-installed options may be available on selected water filtration products in eligible Brisbane and Gold Coast service areas where shown.

Before ordering supplied and installed, check:

• Service area eligibility

• Water source

• Existing plumbing

• Installation location

• Filter size

• Water pressure

• Flow rate

• Pipework changes

• Sink or benchtop drilling

• Drainage for reverse osmosis

• Electrical requirements for UV

• Cartridge access

• Any extra work required

Do not assume every possible site requirement is included. Check the selected product and installation options carefully.

Final verdict: is alkaline water worth it?

Alkaline water may be enjoyable for some people, especially if they prefer the taste and it helps them drink more water. But the strongest health claims are often overstated, and regular filtered water is enough for everyday hydration for most households.

If your goal is better drinking water at home, start with the practical question: what do you want to filter?

Choose Drinking Water Filtration Systems or Kitchen Water Filter Systems if you want better tasting water from the kitchen tap.

Choose Reverse Osmosis if you want more advanced drinking water filtration and your under-sink setup suits.

Choose Whole Home Water Filtration if you want water filtered before it reaches taps, showers, laundries and appliances.

Choose UV Water Filter Systems if you have rainwater, tank water or another source where microbiological treatment is required as part of a properly designed setup.

Choose a Water Quality Test Kit if you are unsure what is in your water.

The best water filtration system is not the one with the biggest health claims. It is the one that matches your water source, filtration goal, flow rate, installation location and maintenance expectations.

Long-tail FAQs

What is alkaline water?

Alkaline water is water with a pH above neutral. It is often around pH 8 to 9, although this varies by product and source.

Is alkaline water better than regular water?

For most people, regular water and filtered water are effective for hydration. Alkaline water may suit personal taste, but many health claims are not strongly proven.

Does alkaline water hydrate better?

There is limited research on alkaline water and hydration markers, but for everyday hydration the amount of water you drink is usually more important than whether it is alkaline.

Does filtered water become alkaline?

Not usually. Standard carbon, sediment, whole home, UV and reverse osmosis filters do not automatically make water alkaline unless the system includes a specific alkaline or remineralising stage.

Is reverse osmosis water alkaline?

Standard reverse osmosis water is not necessarily alkaline. Some systems include remineralisation or alkaline stages, but this depends on the exact product.

Is alkaline water good for acid reflux?

Some research has explored alkaline water and reflux-related mechanisms, but it should not replace medical advice or treatment. Ongoing reflux should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Can alkaline water improve bone health?

There is not enough strong evidence to say alkaline water reliably improves bone density or prevents bone loss. Bone health depends on diet, vitamin D, exercise, medical factors and healthcare advice.

Who should avoid alkaline water?

People with kidney disease, electrolyte imbalance or medical restrictions around minerals should speak with a healthcare professional before regularly drinking alkaline or mineral-altered water.

Is bottled alkaline water worth the cost?

Bottled alkaline water may suit people who like the taste, but it can be expensive over time and creates plastic waste. A home drinking water filter may be more practical for everyday use.

What water filter should I choose instead of alkaline bottled water?

For everyday drinking water, compare kitchen drinking water filters, reverse osmosis, Puretec filtration systems and water quality testing depending on your water source and taste goals.