| The short answer is, "No," reverse osmosis does | | | | been able to penetrate the filter will go out in the |
| not remove pharmaceuticals in the water supply. | | | | waste water. |
| However, a reverse osmosis system, complete | | | | Most of these systems waste 2 gallons of water, |
| with a carbon filter, will. The next logical question | | | | or more, for every gallon filtered. |
| is, "Is it the best filtration system to use for | | | | On that basis, they are not efficient. |
| good, safe, drinking water?" My answer would | | | | 3. Reliability |
| again be "No." In this article we will look at reverse | | | | Anytime a plumbing system has multiple |
| osmosis systems in terms of ease of installation, | | | | connections, pumps, storage tanks, etc, there are |
| reliability and, initial cost and cost of operation, all | | | | multiple chances for failure as well. |
| viewed in light of what other problems you might | | | | Users of RO systems list maintenance issues as |
| have with your water. | | | | their number two complaint. |
| 1. Ease of installation - can the average | | | | 4. Initial cost and cost of operation |
| homeowner install the system? | | | | Another common complaint with these systems |
| The answer is "No", and here is why. | | | | is the cost. |
| RO systems force the contaminated water | | | | Most systems have to deal with filter |
| through a filter that includes a membrane with | | | | replacement costs, but RO systems' owners also |
| very tiny pores. These membranes filter out | | | | complain about cost of the product, cost of |
| anything larger than a molecule of water. | | | | installation, cost of maintenance, and operation |
| Pre-treatment of the water is required to prevent | | | | costs. |
| the larger particulate matter from clogging this | | | | Operation costs are higher for RO system |
| membrane. Activated carbon is used as one | | | | owners because of the cost of the wasted |
| component of the pre-filter to remove chlorine | | | | water, and, in some cases, the cost for operating |
| and protect the RO membrane from being | | | | a booster pump. |
| damaged by any volatile organic chemicals that | | | | 5. Effectiveness |
| might break down and destroy the membrane. | | | | The number one complaint of RO owners is that |
| Chlorine and most synthetic organic chemicals, | | | | the water tastes "flat". That is because these |
| including drugs, have molecules smaller than water | | | | systems remove all the healthy trace minerals |
| molecules, so, RO membranes cannot remove | | | | that give water its good taste. |
| them. | | | | That said, when these systems are working, they |
| The RO systems also must have adequate water | | | | produce a very good product. |
| pressure to get the water to flow through the | | | | In the opening paragraph I said, "No" to the |
| filters, so, sometimes, a booster pump is required | | | | question about RO systems being the best choice |
| if the home's water pressure is inadequate. | | | | among systems that produce good, safe, drinking |
| Even with adequate pressure, these systems are | | | | water. My vote would be for a simpler, more |
| slow producers and will require a storage tank | | | | cost effective and efficient selective filtration |
| with a diaphragm in order to provide any quantity | | | | system. |
| of filtered water under pressure. | | | | These systems are easy to install, simple to use |
| The combination of booster pump (maybe), | | | | and a lot cheaper. Also, since selective filtration |
| pre-filter, membrane-filter, and a storage tank | | | | systems leave in the healthy trace minerals, you |
| with a diaphragm doesn't make for a simple | | | | get a healthier product. |
| installation, and I think most homeowners will call | | | | For help deciding whether or not you need a |
| for help from 'Joe-the-Plumber'. | | | | home water filter, read my article entitled, |
| 2. Efficiency - i.e., the ability to operate effectively | | | | appropriately enough, "How Do You Know If You |
| with little waste of energy, effort or material | | | | Need a Home Water Filtration System?" |
| As water is forced through this system, | | | | Now is an excellent time to be getting a water |
| contaminants gather on the membrane clogging | | | | filter, because new technology has led to newer, |
| the filter and not all the water will penetrate the | | | | simpler filters with an unusual twist - they are the |
| membrane. This requires the system to be | | | | best and also the least expensive! See below for |
| back-flushed to remove the contaminants. Both | | | | details. |
| the contaminants and the water that has not | | | | |