DigytaliaThis is a common question that many people have when they hear of the benefits of a reverse osmosis system.
While it may sound complex, reverse osmosis is actually a rather simple process that has been used for many years to convert salt water from the oceans into drinkable water. The technology behind home reverse osmosis systems is essentially the same as these larger scale operations. In fact, all residential reverse osmosis systems work the same way, with the only differences being in the quality of the components and design, and the quality of filters.
How Reverse Osmosis Cleans Impurities from Water
Reverse osmosis systems work by pushing regular tap water through a semi-permeable membrane with microscopic holes that are only large enough for water molecules to slip through. Everything else in the tap water (chemicals, impurities, etc…) is filter out and flushed away, leaving you with clean, pure H2O that gets stored in a holding tank until you need it. That’s basically all there is too it. Not too complicated is it? Even though it is a straightforward process, reverse osmosis systems still need to have quality components to stand up to daily household use. To costly problems and less than perfect water, it is important to select a quality reverse osmosis system from a reputable manufacturer.
Differences in Reverse Osmosis Systems
While the basic concept behind all reverse osmosis systems is the same, that does not mean that all systems are created equal. There are some things to consider when purchasing a reverse osmosis system for your home.
Different systems can vary in many ways, such as:
- Design and Durability – It is important to have a well built system that will last many years. This means strong leak free joints and high quality components.
- Filter or Membrane Quality – The filter or membrane is the most important part of a reverse osmosis system, because it is what catches all the impurities.
- Fill Speed – Reverse osmosis systems need time to filter water. Systems with a slower fill speed might not be able to keep up with the demands of a household, unless there is a large storage tank.
- Storage Tank Size – Larger Storage tanks will mean less likelihood of the system running out of filtered water during peak usage times.
What Chemicals and Impurities are Filtered out by Reverse Osmosis Systems?
This is another common question we hear about Reverse Osmosis Systems. How about mercury, lead, arsenic, and cyanide for starters? These chemicals are found in trace amounts in tap water, but are completely eliminated in a quality RO System. As stated above, RO Systems have been used for years to filter saltwater, but they are also able to filter out many other minerals found in regular tap water such as sulfate, calcium, potassium, nitrate, iron, zinc, magnesium, nickel and more.
A quality RO system is a great addition to any home that will give your family deliciously pure drinking water for years to come.
