What is...Reverse Osmosis?

WHAT IS REVERSE OSMOSIS?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is an advanced water treatment process used in the removal of chemicals, bacteria, and minerals. It also enables desalination plants to turn sea water into fresh water by the elimination of salt. The benefits of RO extend to recycling, wastewater treatment, and energy production. Reverse osmosis is now being used to address global concerns of water shortages and environmental issues. In a home, RO filtration methods give families healthier water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

What Is RO Water?

Water is a good solvent and can be contaminated easily. Reverse osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids are removed from a solution. In household use, water pressure is used to push tap water (solution) through a semipermeable membrane to force out contaminants (dissolved inorganic solids). Reverse osmosis water filtration methods eliminate a number of unwanted substances including chlorine, nitrates, lead, pesticides, sulfates, arsenic, asbestos, and other toxic metals.

RO technology sends your home’s water through a series of filters before it comes through your faucet. The water pressure of the home advances water through tiny pores of a semipermeable membrane, allowing only clean water to pass through, rejecting impurities. The dissolved inorganic solids blocked by the membrane are then flushed down the drain.

Reverse osmosis with the use of carbon filters is the best treatment for a broad range of contaminants. Reverse osmosis water benefits include improved taste, smell, purity, and appearance of drinking water. This treatment system gives homeowners an economical way to make their drinking water clean and healthy.

Why Choose Reverse Osmosis?

While public water suppliers work hard to provide clean drinking water, it may still contain chemicals, bacteria, and waste products, unregulated by the EPA, that enter your water lines. RO filters make it easy to get rid of impurities so you know exactly what you are, or aren’t drinking.

RO filtration has become more and more popular in households and for good reason. These units are trouble-free and produce great-tasting, purified water at a low cost. Not only does RO filtration remove impurities and contaminants it’s also easy to maintain. Most RO systems have zero moving parts to clean and service. You’ll also have plenty of options. From small, “point of use” filtration systems that can be installed right at your kitchen faucet, to whole house filtration or “point of entry” systems. Then you can forget about having to purchase bottled water ever again.

Point of use (POU) systems filter water at a single connection, typically under a kitchen sink. It can also be connected to your refrigerator or ice machine. POU systems can be easily hidden from view, take up little space, and efficiently deliver first-rate drinking water. If you rent your home and aren’t able to make any permanent modifications, not to worry! Compact countertop solutions are ideal for attaching right to the existing faucet. Cost-efficient, simple, and no-hassle installation—not to mention portable.

If you’d rather tie into your main water line with a “point of entry” (POE) system, this type of RO filtration allows for clean water to flow into all sinks, showers, and water-using appliances throughout the entire home. This type of system features multiple-stage filtration technology to provide a continuous supply of clean, fresh water at all times. Whole home POE systems are engineered for high capacity filtration, with the ability to remove just about any type of water contamination and treat thousands of gallons of water per day.

A POU and POE system can also work together to create superior water for all your household needs. Reverse osmosis is often used along with water softening systems for soft and purified water. If you have hard water, RO filtration is most efficient when the process begins with softened water. Not sure what type of water your home has or what your filtering needs are? Call a water professional for help in getting you on the right track to clean, healthy water.

Maintaining Your RO System

The most important maintenance requirements for RO systems are periodic filter and membrane replacements. It’s fairly easy, inexpensive, and will keep your system in top-notch condition so that you’ll always have exceptional water. Doing so will give your RO system a long lifespan—up to 15 years. Depending on household usage and local water conditions, it’s recommended that your reverse osmosis filters are replaced every 6 to 12 months and membranes every 2 years.

So if you want to enjoy the simple act of drinking water without the worry of toxins, reverse osmosis technology is the perfect solution. An endless supply of cleaner, better water begins with the right filtration system. Achieving the highest quality water can be as simple as turning on the tap.

Drink More Water

The benefits of water are endless. Staying hydrated keeps you healthier, gives you more energy, makes your skin look better, and overall just makes you enjoy a healthier life. You and your family should never have to worry about what’s in the water you drink. RO filtration systems give you all the benefits of water, right at your fingertips.

One of the biggest advantages of using a water filtration device in your home is simply the fact that you’ll find yourself drinking more water. When you know that what you’re drinking is what’s best for your body, it’s easier to resist soda, juices, and other sugary drinks that will only slow you down. Drink the difference, feel the difference. With the toughest water quality challenges conquered, you can focus on other areas of life and drink more water.