Reverse Osmosis System: What It Is & How It Works

If you have ever drank a cup of water from someone who has a reverse osmosis system installed in their home, you would know how refreshing and pure it tastes. Or, you just want to reduce the amount of contaminants in your family’s drinking water. Reverse osmosis drinking water is definitely the purest choice for any home. But how do these systems actually work? 

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Most would have at least heard of reverse osmosis before, but unless you have it installed in your home, you might not know how the system works. Reverse osmosis is the most refined method of filtration. It can improve the taste and water quality even when the water is already treated. At the base level, reverse osmosis is similar to osmosis, where it involves molecules moving through a membrane to filter out contaminants. However, the distinct difference is that reverse osmosis utilizes external pressure to force water through the membrane. The reverse osmosis system traps contaminants, leaving uncontaminated water on one side of the membrane and leaving the contaminants on the other side. 

Why Should I Get a Reverse Osmosis System?

Having a reverse osmosis system is great for those who have water softeners or other filtration systems that are not meeting the homeowner’s needs. If you seek a more filtered, crisp, bottled water type of taste, a reverse osmosis system would be a great investment. In addition, it can capture contaminants that other filtration systems seem to miss. 

How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Operate?

Reverse osmosis systems consist of three cylindrical canisters, where two are carbon filters and the other is the reverse osmosis membrane.

• Step 1 : Pre-filtration

The first step is to protect the membrane. Here, larger sediments, including dissolved solids are removed. It uses a sediment filter to filter out these solids which helps conserve the membrane that can get clogged by excess sediment. 

• Step 2 : The Reverse Osmosis Membrane

Following pre-filtration, the water is forced through a semipermeable membrane under pressure. The membrane is a plastic material that allows water to pass through. However, larger molecules such as glucose, cysts and urea cannot pass. 

• Step 3 and 4 : Post-Filtration and Final Polish

Before your water is ready to drink, it passes through a post filter which removes remaining contaminants in the unlikely case they slip past the first two steps of the system. The water then fills up a storage tank where it sits until you are ready to use it. Finally, an in-line carbon filter gives your water one final polish as it comes out of the faucet. This filter removes any remaining odors or flavors that may come from the holding tank or the system hoses while the water is waiting to be used. The polish is just a cautionary step to ensure that the water you drink is pure and fresh!

When you install a reverse osmosis system, you will enjoy clearer ice cubes, better-tasting tea and coffee, and pure and healthy water right from the faucet of your kitchen sink. A reverse osmosis system is a good investment that cut costs and is better for the environment. Or, if you are looking for a replacement, a reverse osmosis replacement filter is another cost-efficient option.