How Does a Water Ionizer Work

Posted by Jenny Molin on March 8th, 2020

A water ionizer is a water purification tool which is connected directly to a faucet or installed using an under sink kit. The water purifying machine uses two steps to make the water free of impurities and safe to drink.  

The first step of an ionizer is to filter out harmful components of the water like Chlorine, phenols, trihalomethanes, organic waste, bacteria, sediment, and odor. To remove these unwanted materials from the water, the ionizer uses a multistage activated carbon filter containing tourmaline and coral calcium. The next step of the ionizer is the electrolysis of water. The process involves passing through a small amount of electricity into the water and splits the source into two parts. The electrolysis of water took place inside a chamber.

Upon passing electricity through the water, it(water) splits into two streams of ionized water- positively charged ions and negatively charged ions. The positively charged ions concentrated near the vicinity of the negative electrode consist of alkaline metals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium. There is a stainless steel spout in the chamber which functions to draw the negatively charged ions and this is the water that is safe for cooking or drinking. 

The Negatively charged ions accumulated within the vicinity of a positive electrode which consists of nitrates, sulfides, chlorides, and fluorides. This part of the water is discharged into the sink and has many external uses. 

This is the basic working principle of an ionizer that is filtering water to make it free of impurities and then electrolysis.

The health benefits of drinking ionized water 

As we described above the function of a water ionizer is to produce alkaline water. Several Companies that sell bottled drinking water claim that drinking alkaline water can alter blood pH.  However, blood pH is 7.4 which is a constant value. What these companies did not explain how drinking alkaline water further can alter blood pH?

How Alkaline water is different from tap water? 

The quality of alkaline water produced by the water ionizer is not the same as tap water. It is because alkaline water has mineral hydrates where tap water has no such thing. And because of the presence of such components, alkaline water is healthier to drink than tap water.  The water also tastes better. Another great benefit of alkaline water is it reduces harmful oxidation. Tap water, on the other hand, has acidic carbonates that make the water neutral and so does not offer any additional health benefits.