Answer:
The pH level of drinking water must fall within the range, 6.5-8.5 because is neither acidic nor alkaline enough to be dangerous in the human body.
Explanation:
The pH level is an indicator of acid-base equilibrium, and shows whether a substance is acidic or alkaline. The pH scale ranges from 0-14, where a pH value of 7 means the substance is neutral. The levels less than 7 is considered as acidic and the levels greater than 7 is considered as alkaline.
The pure water has a pH value of 7. The normal pH range of surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5, and that of groundwater systems is 6 to 8.5. According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, the pH value of drinking water must fall within the range, 6.5-8.5 .This water is safe to drink as it is neither acidic nor alkaline enough to be dangerous in the human body.
Water having a pH value less than 6.5 is considered as soft and acidic, and it can be corrosive and filled with toxic metals while water with a pH value higher than 8.5 is hard and alkaline, and poses less of a health risk than acidic water but can taste bad and leave scale deposits on dishes, sinks etc.