REVERSE OSMOSIS BASICS
Reverse Osmosis uses semi-permeable membrane technology to remove a large majority of contaminants.
What Is A Reverse Osmosis Filtering System?
Reverse Osmosis, most commonly known as an RO system, is a water purification technology that passes the water through a semipermeable membrane to remove the polluting particles. Unlike other water filtering systems, RO is able to remove smaller particles; either dissolved or suspended floating in the water, so the filtered water’s quality will be better. RO systems are able to remove particles as small as ions, molecules, and even some species of bacteria from the water, as well as parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, bacteria such as Campylobacter, E Coli, Salmonella and Shigella and viruses including Enteric, Hepatitis A, Norovirus and Rotavirus.
Basics of Reverse Osmosis
To understand how a reverse osmosis filtering system works, you first have to understand the main principles of osmosis. Osmosis is a naturally occurring process where a weaker saline solution tends to migrate towards a stronger one. If for example, you have two containers connected through a pipe but separated by a semi-permeable membrane, one containing a saline solution, the other freshwater, the freshwater will tend to flow towards the saline container. This happens because solutions have a natural tendency to seeking a higher concentration.
Reverse osmosis follows the same process, only in reverse. Instead of having a solution with a lower concentration shifting towards a more concentrated one, an external force (domestic water pressure) is applied to the concentrated solution, making it move towards the lesser concentrated one. The semi-permeable membrane allows water molecules to pass through it, so the majority of salts, microorganisms, bacteria, and other debris will be filtered out.
Benefits of Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis removes:
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Chlorine and Chloramine
- Pesticides
- Nitrates & Sulfates
- Parasites
