Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration: 5 Questions And Answers

drinking water filtration massachusettsWe’re spending a lot of time at home these days – and we’re probably drinking a lot of water while we’re there. The question is, how do you ensure it’s the healthiest water possible?

It starts when you install a household water treatment system – especially a reverse osmosis drinking water system.

In the simplest terms, reverse osmosis is the filtration process that best reduces the concentration of contaminants in your water – whether that drinking water comes from a well or municipal supply.

Want to know more about reverse osmosis, and whether it could be right for your home? Contact us today and let’s talk about it. In the meantime, here are some questions and answers about reverse osmosis to get you up to speed on this state-of-the-art water treatment process.

1. What is osmosis?

Osmosis is a process by which molecules of a solvent (such as water) pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, eventually equalizing the concentrations on each side of the membrane. This is a passive process; no force is used.

2. What is reverse osmosis (RO)?

Reverse osmosis, or “RO,” is exactly what it sounds like: while osmosis happens naturally, reverse osmosis requires force to push water molecules through a semipermeable membrane, leaving behind harmful contaminants (since contaminant molecules are larger than water molecules, only water makes it through the semipermeable membrane).

3. What are the steps of reverse osmosis filtration?

Although each brand of RO water filter varies in the specifics, there are generally four steps to the process:

  • Water is pushed through a particle filter to remove salt, sand, sediment, and other larger impurities
  • Water passes through an activated carbon filter to remove contaminants such as chlorine, mercury, copper and pesticides (together, these two steps make up the “pre-filtration” phase)
  • Pressurized water is forced through the semipermeable membrane to trap the smallest impurities – some of which are 1/100th the width of a human hair!
  • Contamiants are flushed away, with treated water moving to a storage tank. Before the treated water reaches a faucet, it usually undergoes a final filtration stage to improve taste.

4. What does the reverse osmosis process remove?

Whil no filtration system can remove all contaminants, few do a better job at ridding water of some of its most dangerous impurities, including:

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Chromium-6
  • Chlorine
  • Chloramine
  • Sediment
  • Other contaminants

5. How does RO compare with other filtration methods?

While many household or container-based filtration methods can help you with taste and smell, few will reduce the most dangerous and invisible contaminants. RO units do. They also require very little maintenance, delivering quality water for years with minimal fuss.

Drink the healthiest water possible with a home water filtration solution from FSi. Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on home water filtration system installations in western Massachusetts.