Alkaline water near me: where to refill it and what it actually does
Alkaline water is water with a pH above 7. Many filtered refill stations in our directory sell it as an option next to reverse osmosis water. Here's where to find it, what it costs, and an honest look at the health claims.
Where to refill alkaline water
In our directory, alkaline refills mostly show up at natural grocery stores, Whole Foods Market in particular. Some examples in our launch cities:
- Denver: Whole Foods (Cherry Creek), Whole Foods (Union Station), Whole Foods (Washington Park)
- Boulder: Whole Foods (Pearl), Whole Foods (Table Mesa)
- Austin: Whole Foods (Lamar), Whole Foods (Domain)
- Tampa: Whole Foods Market (Midtown), Whole Foods Market (Carrollwood)
Browse every station by city at all cities, or open your city page (e.g. Denver, Austin, Tampa) and check each station's water types.
What it costs
Listed prices for alkaline water run $1.29 to $1.75 a gallon, about $6.45 to $8.75 for a 5-gallon jug, and most sit at $1.29 (Whole Foods). Listed prices are set chain-wide and can change, so check the machine. For comparison, listed prices for plain reverse osmosis are $0.25 to $0.70 a gallon. See our 5-gallon refill cost guide for the full picture.
What the research says
We'd rather be straight with you than sell you something:
- Cancer: a big 2016 review in BMJ Open found no good evidence that alkaline water prevents or treats cancer, and said promoting it that way "is not justified."
- Acid reflux: in a 2012 lab study, pH 8.8 water switched off pepsin, a digestive enzyme linked to reflux damage. That was in a test tube, not in people, so it's an interesting start rather than an answer. Talk to your doctor if you have reflux.
- Is it safe? The US EPA's non-enforceable guideline for drinking water pH is 6.5 to 8.5, and it's about taste and plumbing, not health. If you have a health condition or take medication, talk to your doctor.
Our pick: for everyday drinking, plain reverse osmosis, because it's far easier to find: more than 7,000 stations in our directory list reverse osmosis, compared with about 400 that list alkaline. It's also cheaper: at Whole Foods, reverse osmosis is listed at $0.59 a gallon and alkaline at $1.29, more than twice as much. Pick alkaline only if you really prefer the taste and don't mind paying extra. Don't buy it expecting it to treat or prevent disease. The evidence isn't there.
Alkaline vs. reverse osmosis vs. spring
| Reverse osmosis | Alkaline | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tap water pushed through a very fine membrane that removes most dissolved solids | Usually reverse osmosis water with minerals added back or run through an ionizer | Groundwater that flows to the surface naturally |
| Taste | Very clean, "flat" to some people | Smoother or slightly mineral to some people | Varies by source |
| Listed price at stations on PureWaterFinder | $0.25 to $0.70/gal | $1.29 to $1.75/gal | $0.50 to $1.50/gal |
| Our pick for | Everyday drinking, easiest to find | Taste, if you don't mind paying more | Natural minerals (from a station or bottler) |
| Learn more | Reverse osmosis | (this page) | Spring water |
Also see deionized water and our guide to spring vs. filtered water.
Quick tips before you fill
- Look at the machine. A clean nozzle and a recent service sticker are good signs. See is grocery store refill water safe?
- Some machines show a TDS reading. Here's what TDS tells you.
- Use a clean jug: cleaning and storing containers.
Been to one of these stations? Leave a review or add a photo on its page so the next person knows what to expect. (Photos need a sign-in. Reviews are moderated.)
General information, not medical advice.
