Reverse osmosis is a pressure-driven general water treatment process that uses a membrane to separate dissolved minerals and contaminants from water. Other types of water treatment solutions include water softening and whole house filtration.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientists have known about reverse osmosis for more than a century. But, it wasn’t until the ‘60s that laboratory scientists developed a usable membrane to apply to a variety of useful endeavors, like: desalination, mineral reclamation, and water filtration, just to name a few!
In the simplest terms, RO treats water by pushing it through a membrane, separating large contaminants on the other side of the membrane so that only better, higher-quality water makes it to your tap.
Think of reverse osmosis as a screen door for your water. You don’t want those flies buzzing into your front door, but you do want to feel that gentle afternoon breeze. In a similar way, reverse osmosis blocks many types of unwanted contaminants from making their way into your glass.
02 Reverse osmosis
RO reverses the process using energy (pressure) to push solutions with high concentrations of contaminants through a semipermeable membrane to remove the unwanted molecules and contaminants from your drinking water, but allows the passage of water molecules through. RO treatment systems, like the ones we manufacture at Pentair, serve you with refreshing and better-tasting water. In a flash, your water becomes deionized, demineralized, and desalinated. The membrane reduces unwanted contaminants and sends them down the drain.
As a result of how the process works, a particle’s size, molecular charge, and polarity will determine whether or not the membrane can filter it. Total dissolved solids (hardness, salts, inorganic contaminants) cannot be reduced by mechanical or standard carbon filtration but can be reduced by a reverse osmosis water treatment system and is one of the most comprehensive water treatment methods.
Reverse osmosis membranes (nanofiltration and nonporous RO membranes) can reduce contaminants that are as small as 0.001 microns. For comparison, Industrial Specialties Manufacturing estimates that a single particle of beach sand measures between 62.5 and 2,000 microns.
Size, charge, and molecular polarity matters, especially where reverse osmosis is concerned. The pores in the semipermeable membrane of Pentair reverse osmosis water systems are so tiny they can reduce dozens of common contaminants at a rate of 98% or greater. Pentair reverse osmosis systems potentially can reduce a broad range of most particles, dissolved salts, organic molecules, and bacteria from your drinking water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does regulate municipal water treatment facilities that treat your tap water to reduce a variety of primary and secondary water treatment contaminants. However, the EPA does not monitor or regulate a significant number of contaminants that RO can reduce from your water.
If vitamins and minerals are part of your diet, you know that minerals aren’t necessarily bad for you. Some minerals are essential for a strong, healthy body. However, because reverse osmosis is so effective, it separates out minerals like calcium and magnesium that can be beneficial to your health but are the main components that cause hardness in water. Pentair offers a remineralization cartridge that adds some of these “good” minerals back into your water.
You can’t put a price on peace of mind. Our line of reverse osmosis water systems delivers stunning water quality by reducing several common water contaminants by 98% or more. Here’s why we recommend homeowners worried about multiple contaminants go with reverse osmosis:
Contaminants like heavy metals, sodium, and various chemicals are difficult to treat with standard filtration methods. The power of reverse osmosis coupled with the semipermeable pores and microscopic size means that you protect your home from a handful of the water contaminant bad guys.
The membrane is just one of multiple stages of treatment. A sediment filter reduces small sediment and dirt to protect the entire system. A carbon filter reduces contaminants such as chlorine. Other stages polish your water and add beneficial minerals back in.
You can easily install our compact RO systems under your kitchen sink. Minimal tools or maintenance are required. All you need to do is swap out the cartridges about once per year.
Our FreshPoint RO platform reduces the amount of water released down your drain by 50% compared to other RO systems in the market. The semipermeable membrane can filter up to 50 to 75 gallons of water per day (depending on the system), delivering unrivaled water flow from your faucet.
Have you ever taken a sip of tap water and thought, hmm … this doesn’t taste quite right? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in California struggle with water that has an odd taste, odor, or even visible particles. The solution? A reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water system!
For more information, please visit Hydron.
Reverse osmosis systems are one of the best ways to ensure your home has clean, great-tasting water straight from the tap. But that’s just the beginning. Let’s dive into the top 10 reasons why investing in an RO system is a smart choice for your home and health.
A reverse osmosis drinking water system removes up to 99% of contaminants, including chlorine, lead, nitrates, arsenic, and even microplastics. You’ll enjoy crystal-clear, clean water every time you turn on the tap.
Learn More: How Water Quality Affects Your Family’s Health
If your tap water has a chlorine aftertaste or smells funny, an RO system will take care of that. It eliminates the chemicals and impurities that affect water’s taste and smell, giving you refreshing, clean water every time.
Learn More: Does Your Well Water Smell? Hard Water in California May Be the Cause
Contaminants in California’s tap water can pose health risks either immediately or over time. RO systems help protect your family by removing potentially harmful substances like lead, pesticides, and bacteria, ensuring you have the safest water possible.
Think about how much money you spend on bottled water every year. With a reverse osmosis drinking water system, you get bottled-quality water (or even better!) right at home, without the ongoing expense. In just a short amount of time, your RO system will pay for itself in savings!
Speaking of bottled water … Buying fewer plastic bottles means less plastic waste in landfills and oceans. By switching to an RO system, you’re making a sustainable choice that benefits both your wallet and the environment.
Learn More: How Commercial Drinking Water Systems Reduce Plastic Waste and Environmental Impact
With an RO system, there’s no need to haul heavy cases of bottled water from the store or deal with bulky water delivery services. Just turn on your tap and enjoy clean, filtered water instantly!
Did you know that the quality of your water affects the taste of food and beverages? With RO-filtered water, your coffee, tea, soups, and pasta will taste better than ever. Say goodbye to cloudy ice cubes and off-flavored drinks!
Unfiltered water can lead to mineral buildup in coffee makers, ice machines, and kettles, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. A reverse osmosis drinking water system helps prevent scale and sediment buildup, keeping your appliances running smoothly.
RO systems require minimal maintenance—just an occasional filter change to keep your system running efficiently. Plus, they have a long lifespan, making them a reliable investment for years to come.
Not all water quality issues are the same, and that’s where the experts here at Rayne of the Wine Country come in. We offer high-quality reverse osmosis systems tailored to your home’s specific water needs. Whether you need a compact system for your kitchen or a larger setup for your entire home, we have you covered!
At Rayne of the Wine Country, we’ve been helping home and business owners in Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Mendocino counties enjoy cleaner, healthier water for years. In addition to reverse osmosis drinking water systems, we also offer:
For more Reverse Osmosis Membraneinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.