Reverse Osmosis v's Water Softener
If your tap water needs improvement, you may want to look into two systems for water treatment: water softening and reverse osmosis. A water softener removes certain minerals from water that affect taste and, over a long period, clog up pipes. A reverse osmosis filtration system removes a wide variety of chemicals and organisms from water, purifying it. These two treatment methods are meant for different circumstances, so it pays to learn how each one works.
ProcessIn a reverse osmosis system, a membrane separates pure water and unfiltered water. Normally, osmotic pressure moves water molecules to the unfiltered side, to equalize the concentrations on both sides. Reverse osmosis puts extra pressure on the unfiltered side, forcing water to migrate to the pure side.
A water softener removes minerals from “hard” water by what chemists call ion exchange. Inside the softener unit, the water passes over salt-covered material. The material strongly attracts minerals. As it absorbs the minerals, it releases sodium from the salt.
ContaminantsReverse osmosis removes many contaminants from water, including dissolved solids, lead, nitrate, sodium and sulfate. According to consumer information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, reverse osmosis removes disease-causing organisms and most chemical contaminants. According to North Dakota State University, it can be used in conjunction with other filtering stages, such as activated carbon, to reduce the level of pesticides, dioxins and volatile organic compounds.
A water softener efficiently removes magnesium and calcium from water. It will also reduce the levels of iron and manganese. It has little effect on other contaminants, so a water softener is best used in conjunction with another filtration system, or to remove the minerals from an otherwise clean municipal water supply.
If your tap water needs improvement, you may want to look into two systems for water treatment: water softening and reverse osmosis. A water softener removes certain minerals from water that affect taste and, over a long period, clog up pipes. A reverse osmosis filtration system removes a wide variety of chemicals and organisms from water, purifying it. These two treatment methods are meant for different circumstances, so it pays to learn how each one works.
ProcessIn a reverse osmosis system, a membrane separates pure water and unfiltered water. Normally, osmotic pressure moves water molecules to the unfiltered side, to equalize the concentrations on both sides. Reverse osmosis puts extra pressure on the unfiltered side, forcing water to migrate to the pure side.
A water softener removes minerals from “hard” water by what chemists call ion exchange. Inside the softener unit, the water passes over salt-covered material. The material strongly attracts minerals. As it absorbs the minerals, it releases sodium from the salt.
ContaminantsReverse osmosis removes many contaminants from water, including dissolved solids, lead, nitrate, sodium and sulfate. According to consumer information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, reverse osmosis removes disease-causing organisms and most chemical contaminants. According to North Dakota State University, it can be used in conjunction with other filtering stages, such as activated carbon, to reduce the level of pesticides, dioxins and volatile organic compounds.
A water softener efficiently removes magnesium and calcium from water. It will also reduce the levels of iron and manganese. It has little effect on other contaminants, so a water softener is best used in conjunction with another filtration system, or to remove the minerals from an otherwise clean municipal water supply.
