Choosing drinking water used to be simple. You turned on the tap and got on with your day.
Now you’re faced with filters, machines, bottled options, and endless claims about what’s “healthier”. Two of the most common choices people weigh up are filtered water and alkaline water. On the surface, they sound similar. In reality, they serve very different purposes.
Let’s break it down properly.
Filtered water: what it does well (and where it falls short)
Filtered water has become part of everyday life for many households. From bench top jugs to under sink systems, reverse osmosis units and whole house filters, the goal is usually the same: remove unwanted contaminants from tap water.
The upside of filtered water
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Reduces chlorine taste and odour
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Can remove certain chemicals and sediments
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Often cheaper long term than bottled water
The limitations most people miss
Most filtered water starts as municipal tap water, sourced from dams or desalination plants and transported through long pipe networks before it reaches your home.
Depending on the system:
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Mineral content can be significantly reduced or removed
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pH can remain acidic or only weakly alkaline
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Many filters do not remove fluoride or emerging contaminants
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Poorly maintained filters can become breeding grounds for bacteria
Reverse osmosis systems are particularly effective at stripping out contaminants, but they also remove beneficial minerals, leaving water that is clean yet biologically “empty”.
Reverse osmosis water is one of the most extreme examples of this. While it removes a wide range of contaminants, it also strips water of virtually all naturally occurring minerals. We’ve explored this in more detail in our Pureau vs alkalife comparison, which looks at how reverse osmosis water behaves in the body over time.
Filtered water is about removal.
It doesn’t rebuild what’s been taken away.
pH and filtered water: why it matters
The pH of filtered water varies widely depending on the source water and filtration method. In many cases, filtered water:
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Remains slightly acidic
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Lacks buffering minerals like bicarbonate
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Offers hydration without mineral support
If hydration is your only goal, filtered water does the job.
If you’re trying to support digestion, recovery or cellular hydration, pH and minerals start to matter.
This difference becomes clearer when you compare filtered water with bottled options people often assume are alkaline. For example, many supermarket waters are actually acidic and low in minerals. We break this down in detail in our Mount Franklin vs alkalife comparison.
Alkaline water: not all alkaline water is equal
Alkaline water simply means water with a pH above 7. But how it becomes alkaline is everything. This is why some alkaline waters look impressive on paper but offer very little in practice. A high pH number on its own doesn’t tell the full story. We unpack this in detail when comparing pH boosted alkaline waters with naturally sourced alkaline water in our Alka Power vs alkalife article.
Processed alkaline water
Many alkaline waters are created by:
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Ionisation machines
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Added "ocean minerals" or salts
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pH boosting processes after bottling
These waters can achieve a high pH number, but often without the mineral structure that naturally supports hydration.
Naturally alkaline water
Naturally mineral rich alkaline water is rare. It forms slowly as water moves through old rock formations over long periods of time.
This process allows water to:
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Absorb calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate
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Become alkaline as a result of geology, not technology
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Retain a stable mineral profile over time
This is the category that delivers the most meaningful difference.
Why mineral rich alkaline water hydrates differently
Hydration isn’t just about how much water you drink.
It’s about how effectively that water is absorbed and used by your cells.
Mineral rich alkaline water:
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Contains naturally occurring electrolytes
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Supports cellular hydration rather than just fluid intake
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Is often described as softer and smoother to drink
Many alkalife customers report feeling more hydrated while drinking less water. This is commonly attributed to minerals and electrolytes helping water move into cells more efficiently, rather than passing straight through the body.
Taste matters more than you think
Taste plays a big role in consistency. If water tastes harsh or flat, people simply drink less of it.
Waters with a TDS (total dissolved solids) between 250 and 500 mg/L are widely regarded as the most enjoyable to drink.
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All Australian spring waters like Mount Franklin, sit below this range and can taste thin or bitter
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alkalife sits comfortably within this sweet spot, contributing to its soft and smooth mouthfeel
This balance is one reason alkalife has been recognised for superior taste.
Filtered water vs alkaline water: a simple way to decide
Choose filtered water if:
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Your priority is removing chlorine or sediment
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You want a convenient everyday solution
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Mineral content isn’t a concern
Choose alkaline water that is mineral rich (like alkalife!) if:
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You want hydration that goes beyond thirst
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You care about digestion and recovery
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You want naturally occurring electrolytes, not additives
Both have a place.
They just serve different needs.
