7 Common Myths About Reverse Osmosis

​One of the most widely used types of filtration is reverse osmosis (RO) technology. They fall prey to conspiracies that are unfounded, misguided, or plain untrue due to their prominence. Despite unfounded rumor's, RO systems are among the greatest residential filtration systems since they meet the needs of many households. Common misconceptions concerning reverse osmosis are discussed below, along with information on whether they are true or false.

Reverse osmosis: What is it?

​A typical filtration technique that lowers the amounts of numerous pollutants in water is reverse osmosis. A semi-permeable membrane allows water to pass through it when it is compressed. Small perforations in the membrane prevent contaminants from entering the side that is less concentrated.

​After the impurities are filtered out, extra water is used to wash them away. As soon as the associated faucet opens, the filtered water is maintained in a storage tank.

At least three stages are included in reverse osmosis systems, with each step specializing in removing a particular type of impurity. A sediment and carbon pre-filter, a reverse osmosis membrane, and a carbon postfilter make up the minimum three stages of a reverse osmosis filter.

​You can add other in-line filters, such as a carbon postfilter to further lower the chlorine content of the water or a re-mineralizing filter to restore alkalinity. Other systems use a number of pre-filters to assist safeguard the membrane and increase its lifespan. To stop minerals from harming the RO membrane in places with hard water, a water softener should be applied before water enters the system.

7 common reverse osmosis myths​

1. Drinking reverse osmosis water is harmful.

The idea that reverse osmosis water is unhealthy to drink because there aren't any minerals left behind after filtering is one of the most widespread misconceptions regarding the substance. Even some individuals think that drinking RO water causes your body to lose minerals.

​The assertion that water produced using reverse osmosis is unhealthy is untrue. Mineral intake shouldn't be solely based on drinking water. Instead, minerals should be ingested through a balanced diet that also contains essential elements. A lot of minerals cannot reach your bloodstream through fluids. Plants must instead take them up and transform them into a useful form.

2. Tap water is equally as good as water produced by reverse osmosis.
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While city water treatment must comply to certain requirements, these standards do not provide water that is fit for human consumption. Like everything else, water treatment facilities are constrained by financial considerations. There is a desirable level of contamination for each water contaminant as well as a realistic amount that mass treatment can produce.

For instance, lead is harmful to consume at any concentration. The EPA must establish practical guidelines that strike a balance between long-term health and financial viability since it would be impossible for city water treatment plants to totally eradicate lead from water without spending significantly more money than is feasible.

The EPA limit for lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion because lead cannot be entirely removed during water treatment.

3. Bottled water is superior to water produced by reverse osmosis.

Reverse osmosis is not only far more environmentally friendly than bottled water, but the quality is at least as good. Reverse osmosis is a common filtration method for bottled water brands.

​The minerals that are reintroduced to the water after filtration are what give these brands their distinctive flavors. A home reverse osmosis system can produce water that tastes exactly as nice as bottled water since it uses the same filtration method. 

Also read : 
Reverse Osmosis vs Distilled Water
Water Softener vs Water Purifier
Does Hard Water Causes Hair Fall?

4. The price of reverse osmosis filters is high.

​While reverse osmosis systems are not cheap, reliance on bottled water is significantly more expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Point-of-use RO systems cost between $150 and $1300, and they are significantly more prevalent than whole-home systems. On the other hand, a single person can anticipate spending roughly $1500 a year on water bottles.

5. Reverse osmosis wastes resources.
Although reverse osmosis systems must discard water during the filtration process, their effectiveness has significantly increased during the previous two decades. Reverse osmosis devices employ the "wasted" water instead of dispersing it without purpose, making the label "wasteful" deceptive.

​You do not consider the water you used to take a shower, wash your dishes, or wash your clothing to be wasted. Instead, you made use of it for your own health and well-being. Reverse osmosis systems go under the same description. Some water must be used to remove pollutants from the system before filtering the water for drinking.

6. Reverse osmosis filters and refrigerator filters are equally effective.
Reverse osmosis filters remove many more impurities than refrigerator filters, but they perform a much better job of improving the taste of water. The activated carbon core of refrigerator filters is primarily used to eliminate the bad taste and odor of chlorine and chloramine.

​On the other hand, reverse osmosis filters have at least three stages: a sediment/carbon pre-filter, a membrane for reverse osmosis, and a postfilter made of activated carbon.

 7. I'll switch to a water softener.

Because hard water can limit the lifespan of a RO system by causing scale buildup, water softeners are frequently used to soften water before it enters a RO system. Hard water damages not only reverse osmosis systems but also the plumbing and equipment that use it.

​Water softeners are excellent for softening water, but it is the only purpose for which they are beneficial.

It is not the purpose of a water softener to make water safer to drink. Although drinking hard water is not bad for you, it can mess up your faucet's flow. On the other hand, a RO filter is made to make water suitable for consumption.

​It eliminates impurities like lead and arsenic that eventually cause bodily harm rather than hardness minerals. As a result, a reverse osmosis system cannot be replaced with a water softener. However, if you reside in an area with hard water, you'll need a water softener to keep your RO system, appliances, plumbing, skin, and hair healthy.

Conclusion: 

Hope this article has given you good insights on myths about Reverse Osmosis. 

If you live in any of these area: South Bend, Granger, Niles, Mishawaka and looking to buy a Reverse Osmosis. Acme Water World is your one stop solution for it. 

We have been in the water business for a long time and have been serving people with great tasting water. 

Please allow us to serve you and make your water safer and tastier.