What is reverse osmosis water filtration? More importantly, how can it help your family have clean water to drink?
Reverse osmosis filtration helps to lower the contaminant level in your water and boost the water’s taste. Over the long run, it can also save you significant amounts of money on bottled water. By working with our punctual plumbers to install a reverse osmosis system, your home can enjoy having a cleaner, better water supply.
Key Takeaways
- Reverse osmosis filtration uses multiple stages to filter and clean water.
- It can remove a range of harmful contaminants, leading to better overall health.
- Besides leaving you with cleaner water, it can improve the taste of your water supply and reduce how much you spend on bottled water.
What Is Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration?
By 2032, the size of the global market for reverse osmosis systems is expected to reach $13.31 billion. This reflects a growth rate of 5.3% per year. In addition to being installed by many municipalities and businesses, reverse osmosis systems are often set up in residential homes.
Osmosis involves passing water through a semipermeable membrane. One side of the membrane has a lower solute concentration, and the other one has a higher concentration. This causes osmotic pressure, which causes more water molecules to migrate from one side to another.
In a way, the membrane is like a giant net. Because the large molecules can’t get through the net, they are effectively filtered out of the water.
Reverse osmosis is slightly different. In this system, you have the same general setup. However, the side with the high concentration of solutes receives extra pressure, which helps to push the water molecules in the opposite direction. In essence, the filter is separating clean water from everything else.
1. Pre-Treatment Stage
The first part of the process is the pre-treatment stage. This step involves sediment filters and other types of pre-filters. Large particles, like chlorine and organic matter, are removed so that they cannot damage the reverse osmosis membrane later on.
2. Filtration
In this stage, high pressure is used on the water. This pushes it through the tiny pores in the semi-permeable membrane so that clean water is separated from everything else.
3. Disposal
Concentrated contaminants are expelled from the entire system through the brine. This wastewater is drained away using the drain system and a flow restrictor.
4. Storage and Delivery
In this stage, the processed water is sent to a storage tank. Then, it can be pulled from the tank whenever it is needed.
5. Post-Treatment Stage
When you need water in your house, treated water is sent from the storage tank to your home. Along the way, it goes through a carbon filter to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and taste.
What Contaminants Can Reverse Osmosis Remove?
With a reverse osmosis system, a range of different contaminants can be removed or reduced.
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Arsenic
- Microplastics
- Salt
- Sediment
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Heavy metals
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
- Pesticides and herbicides
The Advantages of Reverse Osmosis Systems
By investing in a reverse osmosis system in your home, you can enjoy a number of important advantages.
- Improved taste
- Fewer contaminants
- Lower cost than bottled water
- Convenient for residential and commercial use
- Better health
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we have years of experience in helping local residents and businesses with all of their plumbing needs. To learn more about how you can get a reverse osmosis system in your home, fill out our online form today.
FAQs
If you’re thinking about investing in a reverse osmosis system, you may have a few questions and concerns. The following list includes some of the questions we frequently hear from our customers.
What Cannot Be Filtered With Reverse Osmosis?
While many contaminants can be effectively removed by reverse osmosis systems, there are some notable exceptions. Viruses and bacterial microorganisms are not completely eliminated by these systems. In addition, dissolved gases and chlorine byproducts aren’t effectively removed.
How Long Does It Take To Install a Reverse Osmosis System?
Each home is different, so the amount of time it takes to install a reverse osmosis system can vary. In general, it takes an experienced plumber just one to four hours to install the entire system in a residential home.
Is Installing a Reverse Osmosis System Easy?
Installing a reverse osmosis system can be challenging if you aren’t an experienced plumber. If the system isn’t installed properly, it will struggle to effectively filter the water. Because of this, it’s a good idea to leave this task to the experts.
Is Getting a Reverse Osmosis System Worth It?
Getting a reverse osmosis system is a wise decision. Besides protecting the health of your loved ones, a reverse osmosis system can help you save a significant amount of money on bottled water each year.
How Often Do I Need To Maintain a Reverse Osmosis System?
Ideally, you should get your reverse osmosis system and the rest of your home’s plumbing systems inspected at least once a year. In addition to annual maintenance, you should also be changing the pre-filters and sediment filters every 6 to 12 months. The reverse osmosis membrane should be replaced every two to three years.
Learn More About Reverse Osmosis Systems
With a punctual plumber, you can access a range of water filtration systems. Besides reverse osmosis, we can set up microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems.
Our team is available in Birmingham, Pelham, and everywhere in between. To learn more about our services, give us a call today.