What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis removes particulates from tap water when pressure forces the water through a semipermeable membrane. The pressure essentially squeezes the water through a very fine mesh sponge where particulates in the tap water get separated into one side of the membrane housing, and the clean water flows to the other side. The freshwater produced is called permeate. The concentrated water that remains is called residue or brine. The membrane’s effectiveness depends on good water pressure and having very small pores that prevent particulates as small as .0001 micron from passing through.

How does a reverse osmosis system work?

A Reverse Osmosis System cleans water in multiple stages. The first stage filter is a sediment filter which is designed to remove heavy particles such as dirt and solids. The second stage filter is a solid Carbon block designed to remove chemicals from water, primarily Chlorine. The third stage filter is a spongy membrane that separates the remaining particulates out of the the water creating a final product as pure as bottled water. Reverse Osmosis is able to reject up to 98% of all particulates. Sometimes RO systems will add 4 and 5 stages to eliminate any aftertaste from the holding tank that is used to store the water after contact with the membrane.

Is RO Water Good For You?

Reverse Osmosis is the best way to guarantee safe, clean drinking water. While there are many ways to filter water, it’s best to understand what size micron a particular water filter can reject. Reverse Osmosis is the only drinking water filter that can stop particulates that are as small as .0001 micron in size. For example, Lead is 12 microns, Bacteria is between 1-10 microns in size and Insecticide is between 1-10 microns. So if you have concern about the quality of your water, a Reverse Osmosis filter is the best option to fix that.

Where is an RO system used?

Reverse Osmosis Filtration is used in both commercial & residential environments. Commercially, RO’s are used in treatment plants, manufacturing facilities, medical labs, food facilities, general offices and more. The application allows a company to have complete control over the quality of the water needed for their manufacturing processes or employee drinking water. Residentially, households will install an RO to have similar control over the quality of the water in their home. RO’s are often used in homes on a well system and in areas served by municipal water companies. Home owners who use an RO find cost savings & greater convenience over buying bottled water.