If wastewater has a pH of 10, how is it classified?

A pH of 10 indicates that the wastewater is basic, which means it has a higher concentration of hydroxide ions compared to hydrogen ions. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidity, while values above 7 indicate basicity.

In this case, a pH of 10 clearly falls into the basic range. Additionally, basic solutions can also be described as alkaline, which refers to the presence of alkaline substances that elevate pH levels. However, the primary descriptor for a pH of 10 is that it is basic, making it the most straightforward and accurate classification in this context.