Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

REVERSE OSMOSIS FAQs

Do "Zero Waste" Water Filter Systems Work?

We're occasionally asked if "zero waste" filtration systems (that recycle contaminated water) are a viable solution to filter and still conserve water?

The idea of 'zero waste' sounds good in theory, but in reality, we have not seen this technology work successfully, and here's why:

1) Contamination Buildup: With a normal Reverse Osmosis system, this contaminated water is flushed out. Zero waste systems reduce water usage by circulating contaminated water back into the system repeatedly. In this process, the contamination builds up higher and higher, often wearing down on filter components and water filtration system itself.

2) Contaminated Hot Water: Zero waste systems attempt to reduce water usage by sending the concentrated contaminated water to the hot water line. This means that users are washing their hands or dishes with contaminated water.

How Much Water do RO Systems Use?

The RO process generally requires about 4 gallons of water to produce one gallon of clean, filtered water. The amount of water used in the filtration process can vary depending on water temperature, contaminants present, and number of dissolved solids in the water.

Can Reverse Osmosis Filter Hard Water?

Reverse Osmosis systems can remove some of the minerals that make water "hard". But they're not designed for that. If you have a high level of water hardness, you may need to install a whole-house water softener. Calcium and magnesium (the minerals that make water hard), are difficult for an RO system to remove and can clog and foul the RO system. Thus, a water softener will address the water hardness issue prior to the water reaching your RO unit and protect it.

An RO system, in turn, will remove salt left behind from the softening process so that you have clean, delicious drinking water.

We carry a variety of Reverse Osmosis systems for the home and business.

Does Reverse Osmosis Waste Water?

Before discussing water waste, it's important to understand how reverse osmosis water filtration works. In simple terms, the reverse osmosis process utilizes household water pressure to push water through a series of water filters including a semi-permeable membrane. Because the pressure is higher on the outside of the membrane, the small water molecules pass through to the lower pressure side, and the larger molecules of contaminants are rejected and cannot push through. These trapped impurities are then washed away by—you guessed it—water!

The small water molecules that were able to push through the RO membrane, are collected in a storage tank and you have pristine water ready for consumption.

If you're looking for a high-efficiency eco-friendly RO system, we recommend the PuROTwist 4000, as it is a low-waste system designed to conserve water.

Are RO Systems Difficult to Maintain?

While some water filtration and purification systems are cumbersome and time consuming to maintain, a reverse osmosis filtration system is quite easy. Simply change out the filters and membranes according to your system’s owner's manual. Most filters are replaced every six to 12 months and the RO membrane should be replaced every two years. This length can vary depending on the water quality in your area and how much use your RO system receives. Check out of our article on "How to Maintain an RO system".

The following under-counter Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are top-sellers because of their price, ability to reduce lead, fluoride, chlorine, etc., and are manufactured with high-quality components.