Water-related problems have existed for a long time, and since it’s a fact, everyone knows. Developments and methods were put in place to prevent these problems from causing harm.
The importance of treatment stems from the fact that water is not only used for chores; we also consume it and let it remain on our bodies.
Many sources supply water, including natural sources and reservoirs; however, the sad truth is that, regardless of where our water comes from, its cleanliness and safety are questionable.
The crystal clear river you think is safe from chemicals may have dissolved organic matter with it, and even the ones from treatment plants may acquire contaminants as they flow toward your homes.
Water, as a natural matter, has some worries about contaminants; they believe that as long as they’re hydrated, it’s enough. What they failed to see is how dangerous some contaminants are. The effects of these contaminants may range from minor to long-term damage.
The Reverse Osmosis Water Filter is one of the most popular, with many methods and technologies developed. What is it?
A View of Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is believed to date back 400 years, and this method has been recognized as an essential water filtration method.
The process evolved and developed over the years, becoming an accessible method for everyone. However, this process is not invincible. As contaminants increase, the effects of the said method may decrease.
Reverse Osmosis existed and was widely welcomed as the best alternative to the expensive distillation process. It is consistently regarded as one of the most effective and safest methods for treating drinking water. Besides being cheaper, it is more effective than distillation at removing dissolved chemicals from water.
The method is ideal for filtering out heavy metals and chemicals, including nitrates, fluoride, sodium, mercury, uranium, lead, and radium. It can also eliminate harmful bacteria, chlorine, and other hazardous sediments.
Reverse Osmosis Filters are unique filtering systems with advanced, traditional purification capabilities. This filtering item carefully and meticulously removes any harmful chemicals that may endanger the consumer's health when drinking water.
Invented in the 1970s, Reverse Osmosis Filters have helped many people by ensuring the safety of their water. Their membrane-like structure is specialized in draining out the particles mixed with the water it filters.
The impurities found and filtered are separated and removed from the filtered water system. This is how Reverse Osmosis Filters have worked in households for many decades.
The reverse osmosis filter also converts seawater and brackish water into sterile water through its natural process, which forces the solvent to produce safe, clean water.
It has significantly contributed to its application in various sectors, including medical, domestic, and industrial. This filtering equipment has long proven to be good and trusted by most consumers in the market.
Its traditional process remains effective in serving the water filtering industry. This water filtration facility stands out for its long-term service to consumers.
Buyer’s Guide
Indeed, there are several factors to consider when buying a reverse osmosis water filtration system. The majority of homeowners are aware of this kind of system. However, they don’t know what it is or how it works. The following section explains some terms you will encounter when buying a reverse osmosis system.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Reverse Osmosis is one of the methods used for water purification. This process uses a semi-permeable membrane to purify water.
The process involves water passing through a membrane small enough to allow only water molecules to pass. This eliminates sediments larger than water molecules, such as dirt and other contaminants.
Applied pressure is used in the process and requires little electrical power. The membrane is designed to separate larger molecule contaminants from clean water molecules.
Its popularity spans industrial and commercial applications, and it is widely used for drinking water. Its wonder is also evident in converting seawater into potable, drinkable water.
The Downside of the Reverse Osmosis Process
Though cheaper than the popular distillation process, it has numerous issues that may seem unfavorable to some.
Despite saving energy since it does not need much electricity, the “waste” manifests in gallons of water being rejected to produce cleaner water. This process also works slowly compared to other methods.
Health issues are also raised because this process requires filtering everything bigger than a water molecule. Some essential natural minerals and other impurities are being stripped away.
It has been proven that water without essential natural minerals is unhealthy for the body. Reverse Osmosis can remove alkaline minerals, which makes water acidic. As we all know, consuming acidic liquids harms the body.
Reverse Osmosis only removes contaminants larger than water molecules; it does not effectively eliminate contaminants smaller than water molecules.
Smaller contaminants may include fertilizer sediments, industrial solvents, pesticides, or herbicides. These miniature sediments can pass through filter membranes, allowing them to enter the body when consumed. These contaminants may cause diseases such as cancer.
Step-by-Step Process of Reverse Osmosis
Typically, a reverse osmosis system consists of around five filtration steps. They may have different names, but they serve the same purpose. Here is the description of each step:
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Sediment Removal Stage: This step removes larger contaminants from the water, including rust, clay, silt, and stones. Most manufacturers use a 5-micron filter for this step, which suspends the large particles. As such, no harmful elements can reach the membrane.
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First Carbon Filter Stage: This step eliminates chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the water. These chemicals cause a bad taste, so they must be removed.
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Second Carbon Filter Stage—This stage suspends Most of the remaining particles in the water. It is more compact and denser than the first carbon filter stage, allowing it to block a greater number of particles. The resulting product is a stream of clean water.
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Reverse Osmosis Membrane—This is considered the most crucial step of the filtration process. The water passes through the semi-permeable membrane, which can remove even the tiniest particles.
Most contaminants are eliminated based on size, weight, and ionic charge. Elements larger than 0.0001 microns and heavier than 200 molecular weight are eradicated. All heavy metals and radioactive components are removed.
After that, the suspended contaminants are drained out of the system. Then, pure and contaminated water are separated.
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Removal of Bacteria — This can be the final step for some reverse osmosis systems. This step removes chlorine, bacteria, unpleasant odors, and viruses. After that, the pure water goes to the faucet and the water tank.
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Optional Steps:
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Mineral Addition in the Water - Most contaminants are removed by the time the water reaches the reverse osmosis membrane. Unfortunately, the minerals in the water are removed as well.
Some people drink water to replenish the minerals in their bodies. But if the minerals are absent, they can do more harm than good to you. But in this step, minerals are added to the water. With this, water will be better-tasting and healthier. -
UV filter—This is also an optional step in the reverse osmosis filtration system. It can eliminate viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms in the water. The UV filter is a light bulb, so the RO systems will also need an electrical outlet for power. UV light can kill the contaminants in the water, resulting in clean water suitable for children and the elderly.
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Contaminants Removed by the Reverse Osmosis Filter
Depending on the quality of the source water, the reverse osmosis water filtration system can remove up to 99.9% of contaminants.
Due to the system’s high water filtering efficiency, it is used to treat surface or groundwater. It can also be used to treat brackish water. Today, food and beverage companies use reverse osmosis water filters. The same is true with semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies.
TDS
TDS, or the total dissolved solids, refers to inorganic compounds in the water. These include sulfates, potassium, chlorides, bicarbonates, and sodium. Add to that some of the organic matter dissolved in the water.
TDS can be measured in the lab, which is accurate but expensive. Also, it can be measured by its electrical conductivity. The results are within 10% of those obtained in the lab.
A high-quality RO water filtration system can reduce TDS by 90%. However, this amount varies according to the water source.
Installation and Maintenance of the Reverse Osmosis System
Most RO systems available today can be installed easily. Some products do not require installation. You just need to connect them to the faucet, and they will work.
On the other hand, some products require permanent installation. Although various manufacturers produce them, the installation process is similar.
You can install the system yourself without a professional's help. Just remember that it needs to be installed under the sink in the kitchen cabinet. If you wish to install it far from the sink, such as in a storage area or basement, purchase all the necessary parts.
The hardest part of the installation is drilling the new mounting hole for the pure water faucet. Before installing the faucet, always check with the authorities first. They might require you to install an air-gap faucet instead of a standard one.
Kitchen sinks also come with an additional hole for the faucet, which can be blanked off. If this is the case, drilling a new hole for the tap is unnecessary. Instead, you need to remove the existing cover.
Step-by-Step Guide on the Installation
Most RO systems can be installed easily through color-coded connectors, so you don’t need special tools. Here are some steps to ensure a good installation.
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Detach the Cold Water: Remove the entire length of the cold-water feed pipe from the wall to the faucet.
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Insert the T-Connector: RO systems have a T-connector and a plush-fit connector. In some cases, the push-fit connector might be detached.
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Install the Waste Pipe: If you wish to install the waste connector, drill a hole in the pipe. The best place to do this is in the horizontal section. This will reduce the noise from water flushed down when the system is in operation.
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Mount the filter: Most RO systems require the filter to be mounted in the cupboard. Remember to change the filters regularly so there is free space to operate them.
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Install the Water Tank: Next, install the water tank at the cupboard base. Make sure you do this on a flat surface.
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Attach the Water Pipes: Connecting the water pipes is straightforward thanks to color-coded connectors that ensure all connections are correctly placed.
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Plug the system into the electrical outlet. This is especially important for systems with UV filters. Ensure the RO unit is near the outlet so the power cord can reach it.
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Turn on the water: Now turn on the water and check for leaks. For leakages, turn off the water and use Teflon tape. However, don’t do this step if you use a Countertop Portable unit, as it will cause further damage to the product.
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Fill and empty the water tank: To activate the filters, fill and empty the water tank. Always check the unit manual to determine how many tanks must be filled and emptied. Remember, you must drink the water at this step.
Other Than Reverse Osmosis, What Would Work Well?
Water filters work similarly to reverse osmosis but are more affordable and require less space. However, the effectiveness of water filters varies by brand. Some brands claim to work like magic but fail to deliver what they promise.
Our Berkey Water System is one of the best choices available. It is cheaper than Reverse Osmosis and requires less installation expense because you can assemble its parts yourself.
While others complain about water waste during the Reverse Osmosis process, the Berkey System filters all the water you want without wasting a single drop.
The Black Berkey® Elements dramatically reduce trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment, and radiological contaminants in your water, making it cleaner and safer for consumption.
Though reverse osmosis filters remove harmful contaminants from water, the remaining healthy minerals may also be stripped.
Unlike Reverse Osmosis, which requires a plumber and an electrician to install its filtering system, the Berkey Filter requires no specialized assembly. It's built-in, quick-and-easy ability allows you to transport this filtering equipment to all the places you wish to visit.
Berkey Water Filters VS Reverse Osmosis
For some time, Reverse Osmosis has been accepted as an effective method for removing contaminants from water. Berkey Water Filter, however, has revolutionized water filtering technology to meet today’s standards of water decontamination.
Both have made their stand by providing clean and safe water to consumers. However, these systems purify water differently and have different key components necessary for the process.
Beneficial Minerals in the Water
The reverse osmosis process strips out the beneficial minerals from the water, making it an acidic or “hypotonic” solution.
The term hypotonic solution means a de-mineralized solution that can’t be good for something so natural and healthy as water. This impacts the body because equilibrium is sought when a hypotonic solution comes together with a hypertonic solution.
A hypertonic solution refers to the body's fluids, which are rich in minerals. So, drinking a hypotonic solution will cause the minerals from your body’s blood and lymphatic system to be de-mineralized and flushed out.
If this cycle, caused by reverse osmosis in your body, continues, it will harm your bodily functions unless you take the necessary supplements to counter it.
The Berkey filters are purposely designed to retain all beneficial minerals in the water, ensuring that the body's demineralization does not trigger the dangerous cycle.
This certainly makes the Berkey filter a healthier choice, as it allows you to reap the benefits that water can provide your body.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Up to four filter elements can be used in a reverse osmosis system, and each should be replaced every 2 to 4 years.
The replacement requires shutting off the water pressure, or the system will be disassembled for maintenance.
Additionally, the bladder tank must be washed with a chlorine solution every six months to ensure that all bacteria are completely killed.
The Berkey Water System lasts 6000 gallons per set of 2 and usually needs to be replaced every five years.
The fluoride filter needs to be replaced every 1,000 gallons or approximately every two years. To maintain it, the lower chamber should be washed with soap and water once a month.
Cost
A regular reverse osmosis system costs about 20-65 cents per gallon.
The Berkey Water System costs only 3 cents per gallon, and since it does not require electricity to function, you can save on energy consumption.
Processing
Reverse Osmosis System
The reverse Osmosis System is complex and has different stages. A handful of parts must be mounted and connected correctly to maintain efficiency. It is usually electrically operated. This powerful cleaning system removes 99% of contaminants.
Reverse osmosis, or hyperfiltration, is a method bottling companies use to reduce particles at the molecular level. It is also known for its high-yield production, as it has a storage tank and electrically driven parts that allow everything to run automatically.
It is so powerful that it can reduce arsenic, barium, cysts, hexavalent chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, cadmium, radium 226/ 228, and turbidity.
It usually consists of 4-5 filtering stages, each ensuring that water is clean and safe to drink. It uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove most contaminants and a granule-activated charcoal filter to remove chlorine and magnesium. It also has a holding tank; the parts are mounted and may occupy space.
Water is first filtered through micron and carbon filters, then through a semi-permeable membrane. This process wastes a large amount of water. However, if ultraviolet (UV) light is installed, it will remove most of the harmful contaminants in the treated water.
After Effects
Reverse osmosis, however, produces a hypotonic water solution. This type of water lacks beneficial minerals, making it acidic. How does this affect your body?
Recent studies have found that prolonged drinking of hypotonic solutions can have an unwanted impact on your body system. Our body is hypertonic, and various minerals are involved in vital body functions.
As you take a hypotonic solution, your body tends to be in equilibrium. The hypotonic solution, lacking minerals, will be compensated for by the hypertonic body fluids, such as your blood, which we all know is rich in minerals. These minerals will be flushed out with equalized water and in your urine, leaving your body needing to re-mineralize itself.
Over time, with great effort, your body will begin to look for other sources of minerals, such as your bones and organs.
Consumer’s Point of View
Clean water is important for our safety and health. However, we must also consider the financial aspect and the additional effort required to use the available water filtration products.
Reverse Osmosis may yield promising results regarding the cleanliness of its product. Still, it usually costs a lot, as you need to buy a lot of equipment, and the installation is complex. It also uses electricity. If the lights went out, you would no longer have clean water.
The Berkey Water Filter, however, provides clean water without requiring the consumer to have a technical understanding of the installation process.
Black Berkey® Elements dramatically reduce trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment, radiological, and more.
Electricity and extra manual labor are unnecessary, as they operate only with gravity. It would be wiser to buy a product that costs less and doesn't add to your other bills, while still providing the healthy water you need.
Water is vital to our health, so we should be concerned about the water we drink. We can’t risk our health and lives just because we don't care about the water we drink; we must always ensure its safety.
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