To answer the question of how a water ionizer works, we need to understand what's behind the filtration process. Water ionizers are typically connected directly to your faucet, or installed using an under sink kit.

A water ionizer uses a two-step process.

The first task is to filter out harmful components of the water: chlorine, trihalomethanes, phenols, sediment, odor, taste, organic waste, and bacteria of all kinds. AlkaViva achieves this by the use of a multistage activated carbon filter containing tourmaline and coral calcium. Next, a small electrical charge is introduced into the water through platinum-coated titanium electrodes. The process of electrolysis that follows takes place in a patented chamber designed to separate the water into two streams of ionized water:
Positively charged ions gather at the negative electrode to create reduced water, which concentrates available alkaline minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the source water. This alkaline ionized water is drawn for drinking and cooking, through the main stainless steel spout. Negatively charged ions gather at the positive electrode to make oxidized water, which concentrates acid minerals such as nitrates, sulfides, chlorides, and fluorides from the source water. This acid ionized water has a myriad of external uses. It is discharged into the sink.
A range of pH settings from neutral to very alkaline or very acid is available at the touch of a button. The electrodes are cleaned in an automatic cleaning cycle. View a demonstration the effectivenes of a water ionizer: