What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
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Reverse Osmosis is one of those topics that many people either agree or disagree on. Reverse osmosis does strip all minerals from the drinking water, and some people will say consuming this water will leach minerals from your body, but the truth is that the majority of the minerals your body uses comes from the food you consume. If you eat foods that are alkaline and high in antioxidants, you should not have a problem with drinking RO water straight. You also have the option to user one or two remineralization post filters which adds all the good minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium) back into the RO water. The one fact that cannot be denied about reverse osmosis is its ability to remove the largest number of contaminants next to water distillation contaminant removal.
What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
RO water refers to water that has been purified using a process called reverse osmosis. This process works by using a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities from water. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a filtration method that removes many types of large molecules and ions from water by applying pressure to the water when it's on one side of a selective membrane. The result is that the solutes are retained on the pressurized side of the membrane, while the pure RO water is allowed to pass to the other side. Reverse Osmosis is effective in removing a range of contaminants from water, including dissolved salts, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other impurities. It removes > 1000+ different contaminants, and it's often used to purify drinking water and in areas where access to clean water is limited.
Water treated by reverse osmosis is usually of high purity, which can be noticeable in its taste. Some people find RO water tastes fresher or cleaner due to the removal of chlorine and other chemicals typically found in tap water that affect the taste.
What Else is RO Used For?
Besides household drinking water purification, reverse osmosis is used for a variety of other purposes. It's used in the production of bottled water, in the dairy industry for whey protein concentration, and even in the desalination of seawater for agricultural or drinking purposes.
What are the Different Types of RO Systems?
Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are widely used for water purification, and they come in several types, each designed for specific needs and applications. Here are the different kinds of RO systems available:
Under-Sink RO Systems: These are the most common residential RO systems. They are installed under the kitchen sink and provide purified water through a dedicated faucet. Under-sink RO systems typically include pre-filters for sediment and chlorine, the RO membrane, and a post-filter for polishing the water taste and removing chlorine. They are ideal for making clean water for drinking and cooking.
There are two different options for under-sink RO systems. Tank RO systems use a 3–5 gallon tank to store the RO water that is made, and a clean water faucet next to your kitchen faucet dispenses the clean drinking water from the tank. If there is not enough room for a tank, then a tankless RO system may be more fit for your lifestyle. This one also dispenses RO water from a clean water faucet on-demand.
Countertop RO Systems: These are portable and do not require installation. Countertop RO systems connect directly to a faucet with an adapter and can be placed on the counter. Other countertop RO systems are standalone systems with a water tank that is refilled as RO water is made. They are suitable for people who move frequently or who do not want to install a permanent system under the sink.
Whole House RO Systems: These systems are designed to provide purified water throughout the entire house. They are much larger and more complex than under-sink systems and are installed at the point where the main water line enters the home. Whole house RO systems are ideal for areas with extremely poor-quality water and can also protect pipes and appliances from scaling and corrosion.
Commercial RO Systems: These are larger systems designed for businesses, schools, restaurants, and industrial applications. Commercial RO systems have higher capacity and are built to withstand heavy usage. They often include additional features like UV sterilization and large storage tanks.
Portable/Travel RO Systems: Portable RO systems are designed for travelers, campers, or for use in remote areas where safe drinking water is not readily available. These systems are compact and can be operated manually or with a battery.
Shower RO Systems: Although less common, there are RO systems designed for showers, especially in areas with highly contaminated water. These systems ensure that the water used for bathing is free from harmful contaminants. If you live in an area where a shower RO system is unavailable for purchase a shower system that reduces chlorine is the next best alternative to keep your skin and hair soft from hard water.
Conclusion
Reverse osmosis provides a highly effective way of purifying water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. It's a widely used technology both in households and in various industries. To get setup with an RO system at home you will want an RO system that has a sediment filter, carbon filter, reverse osmosis membrane, and a storage tank (optional). There are many systems that have this setup and vary in size and capacity.
Personally, I have the Frizzlife PD600 RO System + Alkaline Remineralization in our own home, and we LOVE it. The tankless design is perfect and has space saving capacity. Installation is a breeze, and I love RO water on-demand because there is no waiting for a tank to fill and the pressure is always great when dispensing RO drinking water!
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