Just because water is clear doesn’t mean it’s clean. In fact, according to the CDC, 15 million households in the US get their water drinking water from private wells and are not covered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Unfortunately, just because you live in a first-world country doesn’t immediately mean your home has access to clean drinking water.
If you’re shopping for a home water filtration system, you’ve probably heard the term “reverse osmosis.”
Unless you’re a scientist, this term doesn’t really mean much. Sure, you can trust that it’s a fancy way to purify your water, but what does reverse osmosis really do, and what are the benefits? In this article, we’re going to dive into just that. Let’s get started!
What is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis (sometimes referred to as RO systems or RO water) is a type of water filtration that uses pressure to force water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane only allows water molecules to pass through, while rejecting larger contaminants. As a result, reverse osmosis can be used to remove a variety of impurities from water, including salt, bacteria, and chemicals. Reverse osmosis is commonly used in residential and commercial settings to improve the quality of drinking water. In recent years, it has also gained popularity as a way to purify water for aquariums and fish ponds. Reverse osmosis filtration systems typically consist of a sediment filter, a carbon filter, and the semi-permeable membrane. Water is first passed through the sediment filter to remove any large particles. It then passes through the carbon filter, which removes smaller contaminants and improves the taste of the water. Finally, it passes through the reverse osmosis membrane, where the remaining impurities are removed. Reverse osmosis filtration systems can vary in size and capacity, but they all operate on the same principle. Reverse osmosis is an effective way to purify water, and it can be customized to meet the specific needs of any home or business.
What Are The Benefits of a Reverse Osmosis System?
If you have well water or old pipes, your tap water may not be safe to drink. Lead pipes, especially very old ones, can contaminate your water and be a danger to your health. According to the World Health Organization: “Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney, and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Human exposure is usually assessed through the measurement of lead in blood. There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.” Lead isn’t something to play around with. If you have an older home with lead pipes, an excellent water filter, or a complete water filtration system isn’t just important, it’s essential.
Reverse osmosis can also remove bacteria and viruses from water. It works by using a semi-permeable membrane to filter out the bacteria. The water is forced through the membrane, and the bacteria are left behind. Reverse osmosis can remove up to 99% of bacteria and viruses from water, making it an effective way to purify water.
Finally, reverse osmosis filters remove many other harmful contaminants as well. These include (but aren’t limited to) chlorine, fluoride, arsenic and lead.
Better Taste
Not only do reverse osmosis water filters keep you safe, but they also make lead to better tasting water as well!
Anyone who has ever taken a sip of tap water knows that not all water tastes the same. Some water sources contain higher levels of minerals, which can give the water a metallic taste. Other sources may contain high levels of chlorine, which can make the water taste bitter. However, one way to improve the taste of water is to use a reverse osmosis system. This type of system forces water through a semipermeable membrane, which removes impurities and dissolved solids. As a result, the water that comes out of a reverse osmosis system is typically much cleaner and clearer-tasting than water from other sources. In addition, reverse osmosis systems can be used to remove specific contaminants from water, making them an excellent choice for those who are concerned about their drinking water quality.
Raise Your Property Value
If you’re looking to sell a home, or simply want to increase the worth of your investment, a reverse osmosis water filter can increase a home’s value more than the cost of the filter installation itself (often one of the hidden benefits of these types of filtration systems).
This is especially true if you live in an area with well water, rather than city water, where the difference is more dramatic.
Disadvantages to using Reverse Osmosis Systems
While there are many benefits to using reverse osmosis systems, there are a few disadvantages of this form of water treatment to consider as well. One downside is that reverse osmosis systems can remove beneficial minerals from water, such as calcium and magnesium. Additionally, these systems can be costly to install and maintain. Finally, they require a significant amount of water to operate effectively, which can be an issue in areas with limited water resources. Overall, reverse osmosis systems are a reliable option for filtering impurities from water, but there are some tradeoffs to consider before installing one in your home.
Conclusion – Benefits of Reverse Osmosis
Water is a critical part of life. Even if your water is clear, it doesn’t mean it’s free from contaminants. If you like the simplicity of drinking water straight from the tap, installing a reverse osmosis water filter is critical.
Normal tap water contains things like lead, chlorine, and other harmful contaminants and pathogens.
A reverse osmosis water filter is the most effective way to clean water, so it’s safe to drink and tastes great.
Are you considering installing a reverse osmosis water filter? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
