A Reverse Osmosis water filtration system is used to rid contaminants from water that enters the home. The water is fed through a semipermeable membrane; from the highly concentrated side to the less concentrated side. The higher the concentration, the higher the contaminants. After being fed through the membrane, the resulting freshwater is known as the permeate, and the waste water that results is called the brine. The semipermeable membrane is made up of small pores that allow water molecules to flow through, while holding back the contaminants. While this membrane is the “main event” of the Reverse Osmosis water filtration system, there are actually up to five stages involved in the filtration process.
All Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems include both a carbon filter and a sediment filter, along with the semipermeable membrane. Each of these three filters has its own task in the filtration process:
- Carbon filter: This type of filter is used to reduce the unfavorable organic compounds, chlorine, and additional contaminants that can give water a bad smell or taste.
- Sediment filter: Sediment filters are used to reduce dirt, dust, and rust in the water.
- Semipermeable membrane: The membrane gets rid of almost all of the total dissolved solids that appear in the water.
The Reverse Osmosis water filtration system is one of the most in depth water filtration systems available. Because it removes about 98% of all dissolved solids with the assistance of the semipermeable membrane, the filtered water is very healthy to drink.
While the benefits of the Reverse Osmosis water filtration system are bountiful, the most common are:
- The system is small, and in most cases, can fit right under the sink.
- The system removes bad odors and tastes from the water.
- The system is environmentally friendly.
- The system reduces sodium in the water.
- The system rids the water of harmful contaminants.
- The system is easy to maintain.
This type of filtration system is one of the best on the market because it gets rid of contaminants that could make you sick, before they have the ability to make it into the body. The process of reverse osmosis actually functions as your kidneys, filtering the water. By the time the water enters your system, the kidneys have less work to do!
When installed correctly and by a professional, you can expect your Reverse Osmosis system to last up to fifteen years. The filters will need replacing periodically to perform at their best. The carbon and sediment filters should be changed annually, and the semipermeable membrane will need replacing between two to four years.
