Water Filter Systems -
Reverse Osmosis

The water treatment process of Reverse-Osmosis is characterized in a way that water pressure is used to force water through a membrane that has extremely small pores, leaving the larger contaminants behind the membrane. The small pores of the Reverse Osmosis membranes are restrictive to such organic compounds as salt, natural minerals and inorganic material. Purified water is collected from the "clean" side of the membrane, while water containing the concentrated contaminants is flushed down the drain from the "contaminated" side.

Typically, the Reverse-Osmosis-System is a unit consisting of sediment and/or chlorine pre filter, the Reverse-Osmosis membrane, a water storage tank and (depending on model) an activated-carbon post filter.

Advantages of Reverse Osmosis Systems:

• Reverse osmosis is very effective at desalinating water and producing mineral-free water for use in print- or photo shops.

• Reverse osmosis significantly reduces salt, organic compounds and most other inorganic material from the water.

• If an additional quality carbon filter is used for removing organic materials, the purity of the treated water can reach that produced by distillation.

• Microscopic parasites and viruses are usually removed if there is no defect in the membrane. Otherwise these organisms flow undetected into the water storage tank.

• Under normal circumstances, Reverse Osmosis systems can purify more water per day than distillers and are less expensive to operate and maintain

• Reverse Osmosis systems don’t use electricity, which saves electricity costs.

Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis Systems:

• Operates slower than an Activated Carbon or Sediment Water Filter

• Some pesticides, solvents and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are not completely removed by Reverse Osmosis because the pores of the membrane are blocking only larger molecules. A quality Granular Activated Carbon post filter is recommended; these filters are able remove the molecularly smaller substances and chemicals like pesticides, herbicides and chlorine.

• Reverse osmosis systems remove naturally occurring, healthy minerals and natural trace minerals will be blocked by the RO membrane. These minerals make the water tasty and support vital functions in our body system. Water without these trace minerals can actually be unhealthy for the body.

• Damaged membranes are not easily detected. That means it is very hard to tell if the system is functioning normally and safely. If it’s not, microscopic parasites can get through the membrane and contaminate the water.

• RO Water Filter systems require maintenance; the pre and post filters as well as the reverse osmosis membranes have to be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendation; the storage tank must be cleaned periodically.

• Reverse Osmosis filter systems depend on a relatively high water pressure to force the water molecules through the membrane. In an emergency situation where water pressure has been lost, the system will not work.

• The waste of a large portion of water running through a Reverse Osmosis system is also problematic. The system generally wastes two to four gallons of water for every gallon of purified water it produces.

- Activated Carbon Filters
- KDF Filters
- Distillation
- Water Softeners (Deionizers)
- Point-of-Use (POU) vs. Point-of-Entry (POE) or Whole Home Systems
- SimplyPure™ Whole Home Water Filtration System

Water Filter Systems - Reverse Osmosis

Water Filter Systems -
Reverse Osmosis