Pros and cons of reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis is the most effective treatment used to purify water supply. Reverse osmosis, also known as RO, can be defined as an atomic scale filtration. It was developed around 40 years ago, and was originally used for desalinating seawater. Due to its effectiveness, it has become today’s cost-effective substitute to more expensive distillation units.

According to studies, reverse osmosis can remove up to 90% naturally found elements such as arsenic. The reverse osmosis system requires minimal maintenance. It contains no chemicals and can be very reliable.

The Typical Reverse Osmosis System

Typical reserve osmosis systems used in homes are designed to treat small amounts of water daily. Normally placed near kitchen sinks, the RO system is capable of treating two to three gallons of water per day. The system consists of 1) a pre-filter, which removes grit, sand and other elements, 2) the membrane where the reverse osmosis occurs, and 3) the carbon-polishing filter that aids in controlling water taste and odor.

The treated water will then be stored in a little tank, which can be accessed through your kitchen sink or other faucet. The price of a reverse osmosis system ranges from $500 to $1,500, depending on the water chemistry.

How does a Reverse Osmosis System Work?

The reverse osmosis process largely depends on the semi-permeable membrane, where the pressurized water is strained. The reverse osmosis process, as its name suggests, is the opposite process of natural water osmosis.

Osmosis refers to the tendency of water to drift from a weak saline solution into a stronger solution, which slowly equalizes saline composition. Originally, the process of reverse osmosis occurs when the water is forced to move to a weaker solution by means of the membrane. Since salt molecules are larger than water molecules, this membrane prevents the passage of salt particles. As a result, the desalinated water is kept on one side of the membrane, while the extremely concentrated solution is on the other side.

This process has been effectively used in blocking salt particles from seawater, and has been tested and used worldwide for removing drinking water contaminants from the water system.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Reverse Osmosis System?

Of course, as with any kind of water treatment technologies, there are immediate benefits from using reverse osmosis – removal of arsenic and other contaminants. However, while RO systems have its perks, it also has several disadvantages too.

Advantages of the Reverse Osmosis

a) A reverse osmosis treatment is highly effective in eliminating inorganic minerals such as manganese, arsenic, lead, iron and chromium from the water.

b) The reverse osmosis system requires minimal maintenance, without adding chemicals. It can be used by any homeowner, with or without plumbing knowledge.

c) RO systems are flexible. They can be installed to treat the entire house or just the kitchen sink.

d) Compared to other water distillation systems, reverse osmosis is the most inexpensive system for water purification.

Disadvantages of the Reverse Osmosis

a) Although large RO systems could purify all the water for the home, it could also greatly increase in costs to handle the capacity.

b) Smaller reverse osmosis systems can only treat a few gallons of water each day. Meaning, the purified water is limited, particularly for a household with many people. Small RO systems can usually cater only to the kitchen needs.

c) Additional options – If your water has +3-type Arsenic, you would probably be charged more for pre-oxidizing the system into +5- type arsenic. Moreover, if your water has great amounts of manganese or iron, the water will need additional equipment to remove these elements.

d) For some people, reverse osmosis treated water tastes bland since the inorganic materials removed are the ones that provide taste in drinking water.

Reverse osmosis systems can definitely be a cost effective method in cleaning unwanted particles from water. Although it does have a few disadvantages, it is clearly the most popular way of distilling drinking water. Keep your family safe from harmful elements. Buy an RO system and spend a few hours installing it yourself, or you can always call the friendly plumber to finish the job.

common typos: everse, reveres, revers, revees