What is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is a process that is commonly used in water filtration systems for commercial and residential properties, among other things. During the reverse osmosis process, salts and other dissolved inorganic solids are removed from water or some other solution. Essentially, the water or other solution is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane by water pressure. This thin membrane has the thickness of cellophane and it only allows the liquid to go through, filtering out any of these inorganic solids, removing contaminates and impurities which are then flushed away. Hyperfiltration is another term used for this process.
Reverse osmosis is really quite simple, even though it sounds complex. It has been used for quite some time, mainly to desalinate water to make it potable.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
The reverse osmosis, or RO, systems that you could use in your home are all relatively the same in many regards. They work the same way and will look very similar; they will all have the same sorts of filters and valves. The basic components will be the same, but the main differences will be in quality and, in turn, performance and results.
This means it may be advisable to consult with our professionals, not just for installation of the system, but to talk with them about selecting one as well. Some units may not filter as effectively or may not last as long. They will know which manufacturers use approved methods and create high quality products that won’t leak or won’t allow particulate matter to bypass filters.
Benefits
There are several benefits to RO, and it seems that the biggest is clean water. A system should remove water impurities and filter out particles that are .001 microns or larger. This can include things like lead, chlorine, arsenic, bacteria, viruses, many toxins, and all other sorts of stuff you don’t want to drink. Water that has gone through this process is free from unpleasant odors, odd colors, or unusual tastes.
The removal of sediment is good for your plumbing system. The RO system removes dissolved particles such as metals or minerals that could corrode pipes.
These systems are also small. They don’t take up a lot of space, so you won’t be losing valuable space in your home if you install one.
Finally, the “green” aspect is a big benefit as well. There are no harmful chemicals produced or used in reverse osmosis. Also, they don’t use up a lot of power, so you aren’t spending a lot to keep this unit running to provide you and your loved ones with safe, life giving drinking water.
