The pH of ozone water is approximately 7.0, which is neutral. Ozone itself doesn't alter the pH of the water it's dissolved in.
Understanding Ozone and its Impact on pH
Ozone (O3), while a powerful oxidizer used in water treatment, does not inherently change the water's pH. Multiple sources confirm this neutral pH value. For example, SOCOTEC UK states that "Ozone has a neutral pH (about 7.0), so it does not affect the pH of the system's water." Similarly, Heart Water notes that "Dissolved ozone has a pH of a neutral 7.0, and will not affect the water pH balance."
However, it's crucial to understand that the overall pH of the water containing ozone can be influenced by other factors present in the water before ozonation. The pH of the water before ozone is added will remain largely unchanged after the ozonation process itself.
- Pre-existing conditions: The initial pH of the water source is the primary determinant. Ozone treatment does not inherently modify this.
- Other substances: The presence of other chemicals or substances in the water can affect the final pH, even after ozonation. These external factors will need to be accounted for to determine the actual pH of the treated water.
- Decomposition: Although ozone itself is neutral, its decomposition in water can produce byproducts that might slightly influence pH depending on water composition and conditions. However, these changes are usually minor within the typical pH range of drinking water (6-8.5) as noted by Lenntech.
While studies show that pH can influence ozone's effectiveness in certain applications, such as the oxidation of cassava starch (sciencedirect.com), or controlling microorganisms in strawberries (SciELO), this doesn't mean ozone changes the water's pH; rather, the existing pH influences how ozone works.
The pH measurement of ozone-treated water will depend on the initial conditions, any post-treatment changes, and measuring equipment. A specific instrument designed for measuring ozone residuals, pH and temperature can assist with accuracy, as detailed by Pyxis Lab®.
