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7 Reasons to Use A Reverse Osmosis System for Water Purification

7 Reasons to Use A Reverse Osmosis System for Water Purification

Even though you may not know what a “reverse osmosis water filter system” is or even looks like, by the end of this blog you’re going to become very familiar with the purposes, and most importantly, the benefits they offer!

For more than 50 years, reverse osmosis water filtration systems have been used in residential and commercial applications to provide clean water. Cost efficient and effective, reverse osmosis water filters are one of the best options for your home. Here at iWaterPurification we’re here to help you understand the benefits that these systems offer, and determine if they are right for you and your family.

One of the easiest ways to understand the process of reverse osmosis is to imagine water being forced through a filter. Reverse osmosis is essentially that simple!

Here is a more technical answer from Wikipedia

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules and larger particles from drinking water. In reverse osmosis, an applied pressure is used to overcome osmotic pressure, a colligative property, that is driven by chemical potential differences of the solvent, a thermodynamic parameter.”

Simple right? All that you need to take away from that is that reverse osmosis water filtration systems provide you with crystal clean drinking water. Best of all, these systems aren’t overly expensive, especially when compared to other water filtration systems.

Arsenic, lead chloride, fluoride, and mercury — these are just some of the minerals and metals found in water that can be safely removed through a reverse osmosis filtration system. It’s an effective method for removing foreign particles in large amounts of water effectively.

In the early stage of reverse osmosis filter technology, using RO systems to desalinate ocean water wasn’t practical because of the small volume of treated water. The technology wasn’t commercially viable for years, that was until 1959 when two UCLA scientists had a stunning breakthrough.

They created a new, more effective solution to create a truly disruptive new water filtration process. Using hand-cast membranes made from cellular acetate, larger quantities of water can pass through the RO filtration system more efficiently that the end result is well worth the effort.

Furthermore, complex systems can be created where water is run through several different stages, with each stage consisting of multiple filters. The diagram below shows an example of a complex reverse osmosis water filtration system. In this system, there are 5 stages.

reverse osmosis

This discovery was a game-changer for large industries and residential homeowners. Many products use reverse osmosis filters, and you can check out our “Reviews of The Best Reverse Osmosis Systems of 2018” to learn more about household water filtration systems that use reverse osmosis technology.

Did you know that RO units can remove up to 90% of certain inorganic chemicals from the water? Inorganic particles are much larger than water particles, making it relatively simple for filters to trap contaminants while allowing water to pass through.

What you need to know about Reverse Osmosis (RO) system

Reverse Osmosis systems are useful for homes with a water supply line. Most homes across the United States have a water supply line that feeds all the water to your home. It’s just a matter of getting that water to pass through an RO water filtration system and you’re good to go!

Most systems are relatively compact and fit easily under the kitchen sink or in the basement, taking up very little physical space.

They’re so popular because the technology is proven, reliable and affordable.

The water pressure from your home is all you need

Despite the impressive technology, reverse osmosis water filtration systems aren’t that complex to install and implement. Some compact systems can be installed under your sink and occupy a space of about 5-10 sq/ft., depending on the system and configuration.

RO is achieved through the force of the water being supplied to your home. Depending on which state you live in, the water pressure will vary, but most homes in the United States can utilize an RO water filtration system.

It is first used to “clean” water. In manufacturing companies, RO is now used in many processes, including the concentration of fruit juice and maple syrup, the production of fine reverse wine, reception of ethanol fuel water and availability without points in car washes.

Existing RO systems vary in complexity, but consist of stages of cleaning solvents, usually water. In the beginning, there will be at least one sediment filter to trap large particles that would otherwise obstruct the pores of the membrane.

 After one or two preliminary filtration steps, water passes through the activated carbon filter, and then applied to the membrane.

After passing through the membrane, the water can again pass through carbon and, finally, can be further disinfected by treatment with chlorine or ultraviolet light. The systems cannot have more than three or six stages.

How Reverse Osmosis Filters Work

When the local water supply enters your home, it’s already under a considerable amount of pressure. The pressure is high enough to force the untreated water through the reverse osmosis system in your home. Specifically, the water is forced through a semipermeable membrane filter, designed specifically to allow the passage of pure water molecules while trapping foreign molecules.

The filter serves to effectively trap inorganic contaminants and microelements, diverting these unwanted elements to a separate drain, allowing pollutants in tap water to accumulate on the other side of the filter membrane.­

Most reverse osmosis systems for the entire house have the original filter to trap the oxide and particles from the incoming water — and a second filter to trap additional impurities, and one or two active carbon filters that continue to capture any particles that still remain in the water, it goes through the filtration process.

That that you understand how RO water filter systems work, here are the top 7 healthy reasons to use a Reverse Osmosis water purification system for your home.

Improved flavor

There is nothing like clean, crisp drinking water. By removing the harmful foreign molecules, you are essentially creating better-tasting drinking water.

Contaminants affect the taste of your drinking water. Depending on which state you live in, your water system may be prone to specific elements. For example, some mid-Western states have issues with Sulphur where groundwater is used for residential areas.

It’s probably not a surprise that there is a lot of pollutants in your drinking water. It’s important to note that they’re at levels below what is deemed harmful, but there is all sorts of ‘stuff’ in your drinking water. Recent studies have found traces of plastic in drinking water all over the world.

In most cases, it’s not enough to cause any harm.

While these trace amounts won’t make you sick, they do leave a taste, and simply put – cleaner the water, the more delicious it’s going to be!

Removal of Pollutants

The main objective of reverse osmosis systems is to eliminate toxins, impurities or particles in the water. Besides improving the taste (which is arguably a superficial improvement), reverse osmosis water filtration systems remove harmful pollutants.

A reverse osmosis water system dependably contains a semi-weak layer within the membrane that pulls back the particles from the water via different channels.

Water can have several pollutants, ranging from organic particles to harmful chemicals. You can notice them only by looking at the clarity of the liquid. The clear water is transparent. However, when there are pollutants, you will notice cloudiness.

The amount of impurities correlates directly with the degree of turbidity. The more pollutants are present, the more turbid the water becomes.

To eliminate visible contaminants, use an RO system to filter the water. With the help of the system, you can eliminate all large molecules of foreign substances.

It’s good to know that membranes for your system are also replaceable and available online.

Low energy consumption

The cost of starting a reverse osmosis system is quite low and economical compared to most alternative systems in the market.

Most systems are built using membrane materials and energy recovery devices that improve overall efficiency. Filters are readily available and easy to find online.

Save Space!

Reverse osmosis systems are compact and easy to clean devices in most homes. Occupying no more space than the size of a small suitcase, the entire water filtration system can be installed in the basement or laundry room of your home.

Minimal Maintenance

After installing the system, they’re relatively easy to maintain. Maintenance is usually limited to replacing the filter every 6 to 12 months. The frequency at which you change your water will depend on your water source quality and personal preferences.

Not only is a reverse osmosis water filtration system easy to maintain, but they make it easier to help maintain the other appliances in your home. The dishwasher is a big one that is affected by water quality.

The quality of your laundry is also affected by water quality, and this fact is especially important when it comes to ironing white clothing.

How Clean is Clean? Take it Up a Step!

The ability to clean and remove contaminants from tap water can vary according to different systems. The versatility that these systems offer is very helpful for residential consumers. More affordable options are available in 3 stage options, while more vigorous systems can have up to 7 separate stages.

The different stages target particles of specific sizes. For example, the sediment filter is designed to remove solids particles such as mud and dust. A granulated activated carbon filter can remove harsh chemicals and volatile organic compounds.

Ultraviolet Radiation Option

Some reverse osmosis systems include an ultraviolet light treatment option to remove bacteria and viruses in tap water. Many are very reasonably priced such as this option below.

In choosing to use the RO water purification system, a few facts to bear in mind:

  • You don’t have to buy expensive bottled water. Americans spend $16 billion a year on bottled water. By using an RO water filtration system and a reusable water bottle, you’ll be much better off.
  • The water that passes through the RO system is ideal for cooks who want the purest water possible to work with. Taste matters!
  • Do you have an ice machine or do you use ice trays? If so, then you will appreciate how transparent and beautiful ice cubes are when the water has been treated. There is a visible difference.
  • Clear ice cubes! Transparent ice cubes taste better because they look better right? An added bonus, do you know that ice cubes with foreign particles melt faster? This means that the RO treated ice will last longer and won’t affect the flavour of your drinks!
  • Compared to other water treatment systems, RO systems use less energy to achieve results.
  • A reverse osmosis system can be installed in virtually any room in the home or workplace. Even better, it can be easily expanded if you decide to gradually implement more stages or higher quality filters down the road.
  • Reverse Osmosis uses seven different cleaning steps, and you can choose how many stages you need, and configure the device for your own needs.

Eliminates the Problem of Scaling in Appliances that use Water

When water is supplied to the house, before it comes out of your shower, the faucets in the bathroom, or the taps in the kitchen,  it should be treated using a reverse osmosis system.

Through this water purification process, water and ice cubes will no longer taste or smell funny, and potentially toxic toxins are no longer added to food during the cooking process.

Because reverse osmosis eliminates the problem of scaling in appliances that use water, such as dishwashers and washing machines — appliances have a longer shelf life with fewer repairs.

Savings are also achieved due to the fact that it is not necessary to spend too much to buy bottled water since the water directly from the tap is now safe to drink.

This study showed that water use in the United States grew 120% in the period of 2000 and 2015, while other drinking substances fell 16% in the same period.

It is also very easy to maintain because the reverse osmosis process performs self-service, which means that you clean your filters as part of the process.

Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems are a practical way to ensure that you always have excellent drinking water that not only tastes great but is safe for the whole family. Nothing beats a glass of delicious water!

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