What Contaminants Does a Reverse Osmosis System Remove?
A properly functioning RO system is capable of removing or significantly reducing an extensive list of contaminants, including:
- Heavy metals
- Dissolved solids
- Chlorine and chloramines
- Bacteria and viruses
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals
- Sediment, silt, and rust particles
- Unpleasant tastes and odors
A high-quality reverse osmosis system can remove up to 99% of dissolved contaminants from your drinking water, making it one of the most thorough water purification options available for residential use.
What is a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System?
Eliminate More Contaminates
A reverse osmosis system can eliminate even more contaminants giving you purified water at your tap. It is compact in size and can be easily installed under your kitchen sink. They can also be installed in the basement, to your ice maker in your refrigerator AND for pet bowls.
Save Money
RO water filters will also save you money on buying water bottles and gallons at the grocery store as well as water bottle delivery. PLUS, you will be saving the environment.
How does a Reverse Osmosis System work?
The process works by forcing water under great pressure against a semi-permeable membrane, where water molecules form a barrier that allows other water molecules to pass through while excluding most contaminants.
Maintenance involves the replacement of the RO membrane cartridge every two or three years and the carbon and sediment pre-filters every six to twelve months.
RO also incorporates an activated carbon filter, which can provide added treatment for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not treated by the membrane itself.
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Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe to Drink?
Absolutely. Reverse osmosis water is considered among the safest and cleanest drinking water available. The filtration process is so thorough that it is widely used not only in residential settings but also in hospitals, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food and beverage production.
One thing worth noting is that reverse osmosis does remove some naturally occurring beneficial minerals along with the harmful contaminants. Some people prefer to address this by adding a remineralization filter as an additional stage in the system, which adds back healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium in balanced, beneficial amounts. Ask C-Tech Water Solutions about remineralization options when discussing your system.
Does a Reverse Osmosis System Require a Lot of Maintenance?
The short answer is no – a reverse osmosis system is not a high-maintenance piece of equipment. However, like any water treatment system in your home, it does require consistent, routine attention to ensure it continues performing at the high level you invested in. The good news is that RO maintenance is straightforward, predictable, and in most cases, very affordable. Staying on top of it will protect your investment, safeguard your family’s drinking water quality, and extend the life of your system significantly.
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Filter Replacement: The most critical task, which involves swapping out pre-filters (sediment and carbon) and post-filters every 6 to 12 months, and replacing the core RO membrane every 2 to 5 years. This ensures high water quality and protects the system from damage.
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Sanitizing the System: A yearly process of flushing the tubing, housing, and storage tank with a food-safe sanitizing solution to prevent bacterial growth, usually done during the annual filter change.
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Storage Tank Maintenance: An annual check of the storage tank’s air pressure (typically around 7 to 8 PSI) to ensure a strong, steady water flow from your faucet and prevent the tank from becoming waterlogged.
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Annual Professional Inspection: A yearly checkup by a trained technician to test water quality, inspect fittings and tubing for leaks, verify system pressure, and catch potential problems before they become costly repairs.
Can a Reverse Osmosis System Be Used With a Water Softener?
Not only can a reverse osmosis system be used alongside a water softener…it’s actually one of the most highly recommended combinations in residential water treatment. The two systems complement each other perfectly, each doing what it does best to deliver comprehensive water quality throughout your entire home.
- The water softener handles the whole-home benefits – protecting your pipes, appliances, shower fixtures, laundry, and skin from the effects of hard water throughout every faucet in your home
- The reverse osmosis system then takes your kitchen drinking water to an even higher level of purity, removing contaminants that a softener is not designed to address
Together, they create a comprehensive water quality solution that covers every aspect of your home’s water needs. C-Tech Water Solutions can design and install a complete system tailored specifically to your household.