Reverse osmosis systems for in-home use are not the right choice for most people. Originally, the reverse osmosis system was designed for large scale operations. Your public water treatment facility is probably using some form of the system.
The problem is that the water treatment facilities are just unable to keep up with the variety of pollutants that have entered the ground water over the years. They have done a good job, in that we don't see outbreaks of cholera or dysentery in this country, but it is long-term health risks and chronic health problems that are our major concerns, now.
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The only way to be completely safe is to install good filters within our homes, but some companies are taking advantage of our need to take care of ourselves. They advertise reverse osmosis systems as the answers to all of our problems. They are not being completely honest.
As mentioned above, the reverse osmosis system is often used by water treatment facilities, but it is also used in industrial settings where there is a need for de-mineralized water. Film development, for example, requires de-mineralized water.
Simply put, reverse osmosis systems work by forcing water at high pressure through a porous membrane. Much of the water is lost, becomes waste water. Sometimes, it is recycled back into the system. Sometimes, it goes back to the source, whether that is a river or a sewer.
Depending on the type of reverse osmosis system that is used and the size of the pores in the membrane, anywhere from three to five gallons of water is wasted for every one gallon that is cleaned. In the case of making river water acceptable for human consumption, that's okay, but if you are paying a utility bill based on your water consumption, then it's not okay.
Not only are reverse osmosis systems expensive, they increase a person's water bill. They are difficult to install, typically requiring a plumber's help. So, you have to pay for the reverse osmosis system, pay the plumber and your monthly water bill goes up.
Also, drinking de-mineralized water is not healthy. The trace minerals found naturally in ground water are good for your health. Depending on where you live, your water may be your best source of potassium or other minerals.
Studies have shown that drinking de-mineralized water on a regular basis is bad for the digestive system and sometimes results in mineral deficiencies. Installing reverse osmosis systems in the home could cause similar health problems for you and your loved ones.
There are good choices for in-home water filters. Activated carbon is an absolute necessity if you want good tasting, chlorine free water. Micron filters block particles that would pass right through a reverse osmosis system membrane.
So, buy a good system, but skip the reverse osmosis systems. They waste water and for most people they are a waste of money.
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