Reverse osmosis water filtration systems are becoming a popular choice for many homeowners. They can help you improve the quality of your tap water and reduce the number of contaminants in it, which can make an immediate impact on your health and well-being.
But what is reverse osmosis (RO)? How does the reverse osmosis water filter work? And how does the reverse osmosis systems compare to other types of home water filtration systems? In this guide, we’ll look at all these questions plus more so you can decide if a reverse osmosis system is right for you.
What Is a Reverse Osmosis System?
Reverse osmosis is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water. The process involves pushing water through a membrane, which separates the contaminants from the water.
This is a very simple and reliable process with few moving parts. It has been used effectively for decades around the world. Reverse osmosis systems are also energy-efficient and use very little electricity to operate, making them ideal for homes or businesses located in remote areas, where electricity costs may be high.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Process
Reverse osmosis is a filtration process that uses pressure to force water through a membrane that blocks particles larger than water molecules. This process can remove dissolved salts, nitrates, and other contaminants from tap water.
The following list explains the most common contaminants removed by reverse osmosis systems and their maximum removal rates:
Contaminant Percentage of Contaminant Removed Maximum Percentage Removed (Reverse Osmosis)
- Dissolved solids 100% 96% – 99%
- Total dissolved solids 80% 75% – 85%
- Copper 100% 0.5 ppm; 1 ppm under high levels (~10 mg/L)
- Lead 95% 0.01 ppm
With Zinc the level depends on concentration level. 92%-99% is for 2-3 ppm; 5-7 ppm is under high levels (~20 mg/L).
Drinking recycled tap water has become popular in the Western world as well as the developing world as environmental concerns grow.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis systems provide a number of benefits over other water filtration methods, including.
Better taste, as the reverse osmosis process removes contaminants that can cause an unpleasant aftertaste in your drinking water.
Reverse osmosis systems remove chlorine and heavy metals from your drinking water, reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals that can affect your health over time.
They also have a reduced environmental impact. The majority of municipal water treatment facilities use chemical processes to treat their potable (drinkable) sources. This means they release contaminants into the environment.
When you use a reverse osmosis system at home instead of tapping into city infrastructure for fresh H2O, you’re helping reduce pollution in local waterways and oceans around the globe.
Reverse Osmosis Systems vs. Other Types of Water Filtration Systems
Reverse osmosis systems are more expensive than other types of water filtration systems. Reverse osmosis systems are also more efficient. They remove up to 99% of contaminants.
Other types of water filtration systems remove less than 100 percent of contaminants. They can introduce harmful chemicals into your drinking water. For example, some activated carbon filters use sodium hydroxide (or lye) to activate their carbon media. These then kill bacteria in tap water.
This is before it’s filtered through a specialized membrane filter that traps heavy metals and other contaminants down to 1-micron size particles. This results in a very fine powdery residue left over on your glasses or dishes, which is then ingested when you drink or wash with this filtered water.
Choosing the Right Reverse Osmosis System for Your Home
When you’re looking for an RO filter, it’s important to find one that is compatible with the water quality in your home. What if you live in a large city with high levels of lead content?
Then you may want to look for a reverse osmosis system that has been tested for lead removal and filtration. This will ensure that all contaminants are removed from your tap water before it enters your home.
It’s also important to make sure the system is compatible with other things like temperature, pressure, and hardness levels of your local water supply. For example, if you live where there is low or intermittent pressure while using the faucet then an under-sink reverse osmosis system might be more suitable as opposed to an above-counter model.
Or you could get a countertop machine where air pressure can affect performance by reducing flow rate dramatically. This could lead to poor filtration results. It could even clog up filters because they’re not getting enough water flowing through them fast enough which means they don’t get cleaned properly (this applies mostly during cleaning cycles).
How to Maintain a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System in Rockwall, TX
When it comes to maintaining your reverse osmosis system, the best strategy is to be proactive. The goal is to prevent problems before they occur by performing routine maintenance on the system and checking for leaks. Here’s a quick guide.
Change the filter every 6 months or so (depending upon how much water you use). If you have an under-sink RO system, this can be done easily. You can remove one screw and replacing it with a new filter cartridge. If you have an above-counter unit, then you’ll want to contact your local plumber for assistance in changing out your filters.
Clean both the outside of your aquarium-style tank. Also, clean the membrane filter media with warm water. Be sure not to get too close to any electrical components. These include valves or pumps as these are sensitive items that should always be treated gently when cleaning them out.
Choosing a Reverse Osmosis System for Your Home Improves Water Quality and Taste
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water filtration process that can remove several types of contaminants from your tap water. This can lead to better-tasting, safer drinking water, and potentially lower bills.
It’s important to note, though, that while reverse osmosis water filter systems are more effective than other types of filtration systems at removing certain contaminants from tap water, they’re not perfect solutions for every household. Some factors matter when choosing an RO system.
These include whether or not you have hard or soft water. It also includes how much time you want to spend using and maintaining the reverse osmosis system. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the basics of reverse osmosis systems. Be sure to contact us today if you are considering purchasing a reverse osmosis water filter.
