Alkaline Water Filtration

What makes alkaline filtration different from standard whole-house filtration

A standard whole-house filtration system removes contaminants, sediment, chlorine or chloramine residual, and hardness minerals, then lets the treated water flow through at a neutral or slightly acidic pH. An alkaline system adds a final stage that reintroduces calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc at controlled levels, raising the pH to a slightly alkaline range. The water that reaches your tap is filtered and mineral-balanced, not filtered and stripped.

For the San Fernando Valley, where most neighborhoods are on the LADWP blended supply, this matters in two ways. First, the incoming water is disinfected with chloramine rather than free chlorine. That requires a catalytic carbon stage in the filtration step, not standard activated carbon, which is the most common spec error on DIY or online-ordered systems installed in this area. Second, the Colorado River share of the LADWP blend brings mineral hardness that can interfere with the alkaline stage if a softener is not paired with the system. We evaluate both issues on the free in-home water test before sizing any alkaline system.

For Tarzana and Encino specifically, the larger homes and longer plumbing runs from the meter to the point of entry also change the pressure budget calculation. A system sized off a national average flow rate often under-performs in this part of the Valley. We measure the actual flow rate at the installation point before quoting any system.

Whole-house alkaline filtration vs point-of-use alkaline drinking water systems

Many clients in Tarzana, Encino, and surrounding communities install a whole-house water filtration system alongside an AlkaVida under-sink alkaline unit at the kitchen tap. The two systems serve different jobs and pair cleanly.

Alkaline water filtration in Tarzana and Encino

Tarzana and Encino are covered under the LADWP distribution system, the same supply blend that runs through most of the southern San Fernando Valley. The key specification issue in this area is chloramine. LADWP switched from free chlorine to chloramine to reduce disinfection by-product formation. The trade-off is that chloramine passes straight through standard activated carbon media, which is what most off-the-shelf alkaline systems use.

A properly specified alkaline filtration system for Tarzana or Encino will have a catalytic carbon stage before the alkaline mineral stage. This is a media-level spec decision, not just a brand preference. We use catalytic carbon rated for chloramine on every LADWP install in this area.

Encino and Tarzana also tend to have larger homes with longer plumbing runs from the street meter to the point of entry. Pressure loss across the filtration media stack is calculated using the real measured flow rate at the entry point, not an assumed flow rate from a chart. An under-sized system that loses pressure on the run is the most common complaint we fix after a competitor install in this part of the Valley.

Frequently asked questions about alkaline water filtration