What is Reverse Osmosis?

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse Osmosis is a water treatment technology most commonly known for its use in the purification of drinking water. It is likely you have consumed reverse osmosis water under the recognized brands Aquafina®, Dasani®, Nestle Pure Life® and Smart Water®.

With public awareness growing on the potential for contaminants in drinking water, reverse osmosis continues to be the leading technology because of the ability to remove the most contaminants to the lowest levels with a single device.

Here is a quick perspective on the ability of reverse osmosis:

(Approximates)

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

By forcing water under pressure through the pores of a reverse osmosis membrane, contaminates larger than one ten thousandths of one micron (0.0001 microns) are removed from water. Because of the extremely fine filtering ability the contaminants are flushed to the drain rather than collected. This prevents the membrane from plugging.

A proper reverse osmosis configuration for household use should consist of at least three stages of filtration:

• Pre-Filtering of the water removes larger particles of at least 5 microns or smaller. Dechlorination of city water will be done in this stage.

• The RO Membrane is the core of the system, providing the purification of the water. Typically, water is purified at a rate of one gallon per hour. Because of the relatively slower process, this water must be accumulated and stored in a small tank.

• When water is desired it leaves the pressure tank and passes though a third and final polishing filter before it reaches your glass.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis

• Reverse Osmosis drinking water systems have the ability to remove more contaminants than any other drinking water filter technology.

• Common contaminants such as Arsenic, Chromium, Flouride and Nitrate cannot be removed with non reverse osmosis filters with the exception of distillers or costly contanimant specific cartridges.
• Steam irons, humidifiers and other appliances that are sensitive to minerals in water can be operated with reverse osmosis water.
• Eliminate expense and hassle of bottled water.
• By greating imrpoving the taste and appeal of most city and well waters, risk dehydration is decreased.

Reverse Osmosis Frequently Asked Questions

Does the reverse osmosis system have to go under the sink?

No. Our preferred location for reverse osmosis systems are in the mechanical room as long as access to the kitchen is not prevented, such as a finished basement.

Do reverse osmosis systems waste water?

Reverse osmosis systems flush impurities and removed contaminants to the drain as part of the purification process. Depending on the system it can take 3-5 gallons of water to produce one gallon of purified water. Most households should expect the equivalent of an extra shower in water use increases. A small price to pay for purified water on tap.

Can my ice-maker be hooked up to the reverse osmosis?

Yes. We encourage having the benefits of the clean water to your fridge along with the added benefit of protecting it from water scale. However, once again this is dependent on access to the fridge line from either the kitchen sink or mechanical room. Some fridges may

 I want to remove contaminants in my city water. It is possible to remineralize my water?

Yes. Remineralizing cartridges can be added to most reverse osmosis systems.