Reverse Osmosis filtration is a favorite selling piece of public water treatment stores. Just as bottled water companies work hard to sell the perception that water from a bottle is better and safer than tap, filter companies advocate the same misconception that you need a reverse osmosis filter.
Because reverse osmosis filters can remove almost all of the dissolved minerals in water, these companies tout the water as “purified”, “better for your health” and “a necessity for drinking and cooking”. In fact, plain H2O is extremely corrosive and will suck much needed minerals from your body just as a dry sponge sucks up water. Over time, this can lead to ill health.
Indeed, looking at the minerals dissolved in ordinary tap or spring water, you will find some of the same things that are on the label of your multivitamin. We evolved drinking nature’s water, and nature provides us with many of our needed minerals in natural water sources.
If you are at all concerned about our water supplies, no doubt you are doing everything you can to conserve water. Low flow toilets, taps and shower heads are among the many things that you are doing to protect this most natural resource. But did you know that reverse osmosis wastes water too? As much as fifty percent of the water going into an R.O. filter is rejected and poured right down the drain, wasted.
A reverse osmosis filter is a membrane, similar to a rubber sheet. Unlike other membrane technologies, this membrane does not have tiny holes in it to allow the water through and provide filtration. Instead, it relies on the molecular structure of the rubber itself to filter the water.
This technology requires the water to already be exceedingly clean before entering the filter; otherwise it will clog very quickly. That is why most manufacturers sell R.O. filter systems with as many as four pre filters, to filter tap water that is already potable!
Water does not go in one side of the filter and out the other. Rather, it smacks up against the side of the filter, flowing side stream to it. Water molecules that can pass through via osmosis do, and those that cannot are simply rejected, they go down the drain. Perfectly good water is being wasted.
Remember, when you are conserving water, every little bit helps. Not only is reverse osmosis unhealthy at best, it wastes half of the water that it filters.
If you have municipal tap water, an R.O. filter is absolutely not needed. Many water stores will sell you an R.O. filter after selling you a water softener, simply because of the sodium the softener adds to the water. If you have very hard water, the softener can impart a salty taste, not to mention its bad for people with hypertension or other heart problems. Instead of simply advising you to plumb a water line that’s not softened to your kitchen sink for cooking and drinking, a reverse osmosis unit is insisted on, because this makes them more money.
If you have a well or other source of water, reverse osmosis is an absolute last resort. Your first action should be to ensure the security of your water source. This will go a long way to providing safe and healthy water for you and your family for years.
Remember, water is our most precious natural resource. Every little bit helps when trying to conserve this for us and for future generations to come. When purchasing home water treatment, ensure that your choice will waste no water. If you’re not sure, ask someone who knows. Remember, if the salesmen insist that you have to have a reverse osmosis filter no matter what, if you get the hard sell, always get a second opinion.
