Reverse osmosis (RO) is a type of hyperfiltration that was first observed by Jean-Antoine Nollet in 1748, but it wasn't used outside of a lab for another 200 years!
Filtration Technology
Is Buying a Reverse Osmosis Filter Worth It?
5 min read
Not everyone needs a reverse osmosis filter, but if you want the purest, safest water possible they’re certainly worth a look.
Across the country, water contamination is a growing concern.
Local treatment plants do the best they can’t, but toxic pollutants still sneak through.
Is buying a reverse osmosis filter the way to go?
Keep reading to find out...
Reverse osmosis (RO) filters work by pushing highly pressurized water through a semipermeable membrane.
Unlike other types of filters, RO can get rid of chemicals, salts, sugars, proteins, particles, heavy metals, dyes, bacteria, viruses and dissolved contaminants of all kinds.
But RO systems go way beyond just reverse osmosis. Here’s a quick breakdown of the entire filtration process:
- Sediment filters for dirt, debris, rust and discoloration
- Carbon filters for chlorine, disinfectants, trace chemicals, and better tasting water
- Ion exchange resins for “hard” minerals like calcium and magnesium
- Reverse osmosis for the hard-to-remove contaminants, like arsenic, nuclears particles, pesticides, and other hormone-disrupting, cancer-causing toxins
- Remineralization filter for adding healthy minerals, balancing pH and alkalizing the water
Next, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of RO filters...
Think of RO like a bouncer for bad water patrons.
If you’re dealing with a variety of dangerous contaminants, and lots of them, it’s hard to beat the purifying power of RO.
Reverse osmosis filters can remove up to 99.9% of…
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nuclear particles
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Fluoride
- Bacteria
- Arsenic
- Radium
- Lead
RO systems also remove the chlorine and fluoride and that treatment plants add to water.
When chlorine mixes with water it produces disinfection by-products (DBPs) that may increase the risk of cancer.
Fluoride is added to help prevent cavities, but long-term exposure has been shown to cause brain damage in young children.
Don’t worry, though, RO’s got your back!
High-quality RO systems remineralize with calcium, magnesium and potassium.
These minerals boost cellular energy, prevent cramps, improve brain function, reduce stress, and support nearly every organ in the body.
Research shows that drinking water that’s low in magnesium and calcium can lead to bone fractures, heart disease and premature birth.
Fortunately, premium RO systems replenish these important nutrients.
RO remineralization alkalizes and balances pH.
The disinfection products used in treatment plants make water acidic, but remineralization balances it back out.
Although more research is needed, early studies show that alkaline water may reduce the risk of acid reflux, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Nobody likes drinking brown water. That’s a fact.
Fortunately, the sediment filter in RO systems improves discoloration. This single step makes a huge difference in clearing up cloudiness.
As the water passes through the rest of the system, it continues to get clearer and clearer.
According to the CDC, chlorine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter are considered safe, but it can still make your water smell and taste funny. It depends on your water quality and the amount of chlorine in it!
RO water tastes gooood.
Chlorine and chlorine by-products can make your water stink---so can all of the other little nasties floating around.
Luckily, activated carbon pre-filters eliminate the smell-factor.
Later in the process, ion exchange resins remove excess minerals and soften the water for a better “mouthfeel.”
RO filtration ensures that when you boil your food, it doesn’t lose its mojo.
Food that’s cooked in mineralized RO water retains more nutrients.
Fancy restaurants choose RO water because it improves the taste of their food. For 5-star dining at home, cook with RO.
Point-of-use RO filters fit conveniently under the kitchen sink and produce enough drinking water for the whole family.
When it comes to maintenance, most filters only have to be changed every 18 months.
Cloud Water Filters automatically ship replacement filters right to your door. Click here to learn more.
As effective as RO can be, it does have a couple drawbacks:
RO systems use a lot of water.
As the water passes through the RO membrane, a good amount of it gets turned into wastewater and drains from the system.
Some RO systems use up to three times more water than they produce.
The good news is that many RO systems, including Cloud Water Filters, use a flow restrictor to greatly reduce the amount of wastewater.
After installing your RO filter you might notice a drop in water pressure.
Exactly how much water pressure you lose depends on the quality of the filter.
WIth that said, water pressure loss is barely noticeable with high-end systems.
Under-sink RO systems with remineralization can cost between a few hundred dollars and $1.5k. They provide all the drinking water you could ever need.
Whole-house systems, on the other hand, can cost up to several thousand dollars.
Cloud Water Filters combine premium quality and performance at an affordable price.
If your water is already on the cleaner side, you have a few other options to consider:
- Carbon Filtration Systems: Activated carbon filters remove most pathogenic microorganisms, chlorine, dirt and debris. They also improve the taste, smell and color of your water.
- Ultraviolet Systems: UV systems are great for homes on private wells or anywhere else where there’s a serious threat of bacteria, viruses and parasites. They work by blasting the little buggers with UV-spectrum light.
- Ultrafiltration Systems: UF systems are similar RO systems, but they do not remove dissolved particles, “hard” minerals or fluoride. On the upside, they produce less wastewater and can remove lead, bacteria, viruses, rust, dirt, debris, chlorine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
RO and UF systems are in the same price range, while carbon and UV systems are more affordable options.
Before you choose a filter, get your water tested and see what’s inside.
Avoid do-it-yourself kits. They can be unreliable and don’t test for the full range of pollutants.
Instead, send water samples to one of the EPA’s state-certified testing labs.
They test for all 90 standard pollutants, plus bacteria, nitrates, pH levels and BPAs.
Most tests cost between $20 and $150.
If your water is cleaner than a nun’s mouth, RO might be overkill, but if WWIII is lurking in your tap, it’s time to break out the big guns.
Cloud Water Filters use built-in software to monitor your water quality 24/7. You can check it anytime through an app on your phone, and replacement filters automatically ship right to your door.
Click here to learn more.
