With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
This is a common question because many people don’t understand what reverse osmosis water is and how it’s produced. But this filtration process is growing in popularity because it produces water that’s extremely pure and safe to drink. In this article, we will take a closer look at what reverse osmosis filtration is and explore if it’s safe to drink.
What is Reverse Osmosis Filtration?
The first thing to understand about reverse osmosis is that it’s a purely mechanical filtration process. No chemicals are added to the water for disinfection purposes, and reverse osmosis only takes contaminants out of the water. At the heart of these filtration systems, there is a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores. This filter membrane is vulnerable to damage from chlorine, chloramine (ammonia mixed with chlorine), and sediment particles. So, a reverse osmosis filter system tends to have other filters to remove these contaminants that have some potential to do damage. There are usually four filter stages in a reverse osmosis filtration system. They are:
- The Sediment Pre-filter: This removes suspended dirt, dust, sand, and other sediment particles from the incoming water supply.
- An Initial Granular Activated Charcoal (GAC) Filter: This filtration stage removes the chlorine and chloramine from the water to protect the reverse osmosis filter.
- The Semi-Permeable Reverse Osmosis Filter: This is the main filtration stage that removes the contaminants from the water.
- The Second GAC Filter Stage: This filtration stage adds some character and a final polish to the filtered water.
Most people install their reverse osmosis filter at a dedicated point-of-use faucet at their kitchen sink. This is a cost-effective way to get cleaner water for drinking, cooking, prepping food, and other tasks.
Passing the water through the reverse osmosis filter is a challenge because the filter pores are extremely small. This is by design; the water must be placed under pressure by the system to force the water through the filter pores. The water that passes through has all the contaminants removed, including the mineral content. Because this process takes time, the filtered water is stored in a tank for later use.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Water Taste?
When you drink reverse osmosis, you’re probably drinking virtually pure water for the first time. Tap and bottled water derive a great deal of taste from the minerals and other dissolved contaminants. In comparison, reverse osmosis water can taste stale and many people liven it up with fruit juice to create an isotonic drink. Even if you add a small pinch of your favorite Himalayan or sea salts, the taste is improved significantly.
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe to Drink?
Absolutely. Drinking reverse osmosis is perfectly safe, and if you use it for cooking you can experience the true taste of your food. Some people believe that reverse osmosis is a less healthy option than bottled water because it has no mineral content. This is a fallacy because the minerals that are found in water have virtually no impact on our health. The minerals are not soluble; to get healthy minerals, it’s advisable to focus on eating mineral rich foods or supplements. To put this into some perspective, you could drink a bathtub full of mineral water every day, and you will still only get 10% of your recommended daily mineral intake.
When it comes to a healthy lifestyle it’s important to note that reverse osmosis can remove a wide variety of contaminants, including arsenic, chloramine, chromium, and around 35,000 chemicals. Approximately 90% of the minerals found in our water may be linked to long-term health risks, according to the World Health Organization. So, when you look at the wider picture, it’s easy to see that reverse osmosis drinking water is a safe and healthy option.
Can I Remineralize the Reverse Osmosis Water?
Yes. It is possible to add a remineralization filter to the final stage of the reverse osmosis filtration system. This can add some healthy minerals back into the water, which will improve the taste too. This is a great way to get the best of both worlds, exceptionally clean drinking water with healthy mineral content.
What About Bottled Drinking Water?
Many people choose bottled drinking water to meet their daily hydration needs. The market for bottled water has skyrocketed in recent decades. But, there are problems associated with drinking bottled spring and mineral waters. First, studies have shown that many bottled water brands are selling water that’s not much cleaner than tap water. Another huge problem is the price; a single bottle of water is affordable, but when that amount is extrapolated across an entire year, it’s surprising how they add up. When you buy bottled water in bulk, it’s a hassle to move and store it, and it can take up a lot of space. Finally, most of these bottled waters come in plastic bottles that cannot be recycled, and they simply end up in a landfill site. In comparison, reverse osmosis is cleaner, less expensive, more convenient, and there are no plastic bottles.
What About Drinking Water On the Go?
It’s important to stay hydrated when you work out or go about your day. But, if you’re trying to avoid using bottled water, you may be wondering how to approach this problem. The best way to drink water when you’re out and about is to invest in a reusable water bottle that contains no harmful BPA plastic byproducts. There are many brands on the market, and you can even choose a color and style to suit your personality. This is the vessel that you can use to contain the reverse osmosis water that you can store in a pitcher in the refrigerator. To create an isotonic sports drink, simply mix your favorite fruit juice with reverse osmosis water in a 1:1 ratio. This will quench your thirst quickly and help you to work out for longer periods.
If you’re considering a reverse water filter installation in your home, contact your local water treatment specialist today.