How does Reverse Osmosis Work?

Gary Monks • January 14, 2019

Reverse Osmosis is a filtration process where water is forced over a semi-permeable membrane to filter containments out of the water. The clean, drinkable water is collected in a holding tank while the contaminants are flushed down the drain.

This is one of the most effective and popular methods of water filtration because it produces great tasting water in a safe and effective way. These systems are also convenient because they are fully automated and reasonably priced.

With a variety of water treatment systems available to Butler customers, it is essential to understand how reverse osmosis works before deciding on what treatment system is right for you.

What Does Reverse Osmosis do?

The process of reverse osmosis works using water pressure to push tap water through a semipermeable membrane that removes dissolved inorganic solids, like salts, from the water. With a reverse osmosis system, you can effectively remove contaminants from your water, including, but not limited to:

Nitrates
Pesticides
Sulfates
Fluoride
Bacteria
Pharmaceuticals
Arsenic
Detergents
Lead

You can also remove impurities like chlorine, chloramine, and much more to make your water not only taste better but also make it safer to drink. Contaminants that are not passed through the membrane are pushed through additional filters such a sediment filter or carbon filters to be filtered out and flushed down the drain. These additional filters are used to ensure optimal water quality.

The Four Stages of the Reverse Osmosis Process

In most cases, there are four stages to the reverse osmosis process, which include:

Sediment Filter

This stage is designed to pre-filter the water, straining out silt, sediment, and dirt to prevent it from being consumed and to keep the sediment from damaging the reverse osmosis membrane.

Carbon Filter

This type of filter is used for removing chlorine and other contaminants that affect the lifespan and performance of the reverse osmosis membrane. This filter also works to improve the odor and the taste of your drinking water.

Reverse Osmosis Membrane

This semipermeable membrane is designed to allow water to pass through while filtering out almost all contaminants the other filters did not eliminate.

Polishing Filter

In a four-stage reverse osmosis system, the polishing filter is a carbon filter that is used to remove any remaining tastes or odors in the water. This filter is used to achieve optimal drinking water quality.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis

By using a reverse osmosis filter, you can have bottled-water quality and taste, without creating the waste that comes with drinking bottled water. In addition to helping you reduce your plastic consumption, this affordable system can also help you save money by eliminating the need for a water delivery service or for purchasing cases of bottled water.

Reverse osmosis filtration systems are very simple to maintain. They have very few moving or replaceable parts, making them easy to clean and to service. If you are looking to improve the odor and taste of your water and make it safer to drink, then a reverse osmosis system is a great fit for your home!

Expert Butler Water Purification Installation and Service

At Aqua Solutions , we have a wide range of water purification systems available to help you achieve healthier and tastier drinking water. Our expert team has the tools and the expert knowledge to install your system and keep it running efficiently for years to come.

We are proud to provide reverse osmosis technology to our Butler area customers while offering quality service and products to meet your water purification needs. Contact us today to learn more about our reverse osmosis systems and other water treatment systems.