Best For Drinking Water: Reverse Osmosis or Filtration?
Everyone needs to make sure that their water is safe and clean enough to drink with water treatment systems. Filtration systems like activated carbon or mechanical filters get the job done. They remove sediment, bacteria, and some chemicals. Emphasis on “some” as they fall short when it comes to dissolved salts, minerals, and metals.
Reverse osmosis purifies the water more thoroughly than standard filters. It uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove nearly all impurities (including the dissolved solids). RO is somewhat new so not many know the difference between reverse osmosis and filtration. Although both make water drinkable and clean, the working and effectiveness differ.
So, which is better, reverse osmosis or filtration? At one glance, RO is the better pick but it can depend on specific needs. Read and find out if you should go for reverse osmosis or standard water filtration systems.
Key Differences Between Filtration and Reverse Osmosis
Before choosing between filtration and reverse osmosis for clean drinking water, understanding how each works is important. See what each system means. For quick understanding, the main difference between the two is the particle size they can remove. Filtration is a simpler and less efficient method of removing impurities from water than reverse osmosis. RO is a more complex and advanced process that removes a wider range of impurities.
Also, filtration systems have different types where Reverse osmosis comes as one unit. See what is a reverse osmosis filter and how it compares to traditional filtration.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis is best for addressing serious water quality concerns. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane helps filter out dissolved minerals, salts, and microscopic contaminants. These systems can remove up to 99% of impurities. It takes care of lead, arsenic, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)..
How does Reverse osmosis work? The process begins with pre-filters that remove sediment and chlorine. RO membrane blocks impurities as small as a single atom when water flows through it. Some systems even include additional filters to tackle bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
Water Filtration
Water filtration is a simpler method designed to trap dirt, sediment, and some chemicals. Common filtration options include activated carbon filters. They are found in pitchers, faucets, or refrigerators. These systems are designed to improve taste and odor by reducing chlorine, sediment, and some VOCs.
- Refrigerator filters ( Convenient but limited in scope)
- Pitcher filters (Easy to use and budget-friendly)
- Faucet filters (Quick to install but not thorough)
While these options are affordable and simple, they’re only for minor water quality issues. We recommend them for improving taste or addressing aesthetic concerns. But for homeowners facing significant contaminants, they fall short.
Reverse Osmosis vs. Filtration: How to Pick?
Before you decide about your water treatment, first test the water. Choosing between reverse osmosis and filtration depends on your water quality needs. And then the budget comes in. Instead of wondering “Is reverse osmosis better than filtered water”, first consult a water solutions company like Watermart for a free water test.
At our company, we tell clients to go for RO if the water quality is consistently bad. But if the water quality is normally good, there’s no need to go for high-cost reverse osmosis. A standard filtration system will work fine as it’s affordable and sufficient for most households with safe municipal water. Still, for optimal results combining water filters with RO is needed.
Understanding why is reverse filtration important boils down to your needs. For extreme purification, reverse osmosis is a winner. But only if your budget allows it. Both water treatment methods have different initial and upkeep costs. Here’s a comparison table of typical expenses for standard filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) systems:
| Cost Estimate | Reverse Osmosis | Water Filtration |
| Initial Cost | $1,000 – $6,000 | $150– $600 |
| Installation Cost | $500 – $2,000 | $100 – $300 |
| Maintenance Cost | $200 – $500 | $50 – $100 |
When Should I Go for Reverse Osmosis Instead of a Filter?
The RO system is better for extensive water treatment. Read and see if any of the under-given scenarios feel familiar. If they do then a reverse osmosis (RO) system is a better choice than a water filtration system:
For High-Purity Water in Industrial Processes
Maintaining product quality and safety is important, especially in industries (like food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals). So, they need extremely pure water, which is not possible with carbon filters. So, reverse osmosis should be used to dissolve pollutants, bacteria, and chemicals. RO ensures water meets stringent standards.
Desalination of Seawater
Many states in the U.S. and Canada have water reports, so see if the water report in your local area has high levels of contaminants. If seawater is the viable source of water, then it’s more likely that your water contains lead, arsenic, and other toxins. In that case, use RO systems to efficiently remove salt and other contaminants.
Treating Brackish Water
Even if seawater gets treated, the water source like taps may still contain a mix of fresh and salt water. RO technology is used if taps get contaminated. It lowers dissolved salt levels to meet safe consumption and industrial standards. It’s beneficial for individuals with specific health concerns, like kidney disease.
For Treating Wastewater
For the purification process of wastewater, a reverse osmosis system is used as a final step. It removes up to 61 contaminants which is 12 times more than a standard carbon filter. Using RO is necessary to remove chemical and bacterial pollutants before water is released or reused.
Preventing Damage to Industrial Boilers
Hard water can lead to scale buildup, inefficiency, and shorter equipment life. RO systems provide demineralized water for boilers. It does so for household appliances as well but for industries looking to lower appliance maintenance costs, RO is the best.
When Should I Go for a Water Filtration System Instead of RO?
Reverse Osmosis systems are great for removing contaminants but if your water test report has a low level of toxins, standard water filtration systems are best. Consider a water filtration system if these points match your needs:
For Ease of setup
Filtration systems like bag filters or strainers can meet the demand without requiring an extensive setup. So, if you need a simple way to filter water for specific appliances or uses, use a water filtration system.
For Speed and convenience
Water filters are easy to install and use. Many models are designed for quick DIY setup, so they are highly convenient. Additionally, carbon filters work faster than reverse osmosis systems, providing clean water almost instantly. This speed can be a big advantage for those seeking immediate access to filtered water.
Removing Particulate Impurities
Water filters excel at capturing larger particles and debris. Activated carbon filters effectively reduce chlorine, chloramines, and other disinfectants. Systems like bag filters or pipeline strainers collect solid contaminants. Some filters can reduce toxic metals like lead and mercury. They work better at reducing specific contaminants as opposed to RO which goes for all.
For Temporary or Point-of-Use Solutions
For situations where water filtration needs are temporary or limited to specific appliances or faucets, a water filter is more practical. For instance, if you only need cleaner water for drinking or cooking, a filter attached to your tap or a countertop filter system will suffice. Reverse osmosis is generally overkill for these cases.
When Self-Cleaning Efficiency Is Important
Automatic self-cleaning filters are convenient for reducing maintenance. They flush out debris automatically. Keep in mind that they do not remove chemicals but help with larger contaminants. In that case, they’re a smart choice for operations that require consistent filtration.
Additional Factors to Consider
For people who are environmentalists picking a purification system is more than just its effectiveness. It’s also about understanding the environment, and other available options. Here are some actual effects on the environment of these purification methods and a few myths:
Environmental Effects: Reverse Osmosis vs. Filtration
Water waste has long been a concern with reverse osmosis. Traditional systems could waste up to 20 times more water than they purified. Fortunately, Watermart’s modern models are more efficient. Our RO systems have recovery rates of up to 75%. That’s a significant step forward.
Filtration, on the other hand, typically uses less water. So, it’s overall more eco-friendly in many cases. Both reverse osmosis and water filters can be a greener option in regions relying heavily on bottled water. They do so by reducing plastic waste and energy consumption tied to bottle production.
Disproving Myths Surrounding Water Purification Systems
Some myths hold people back from installing reverse osmosis and other water filtration systems. All myths are false, here are some common ones:
- People say “RO water is unhealthy.” That is False. While RO removes minerals, most nutrients come from food, not water. RO water doesn’t deplete your body’s minerals either.
- People believe “Boiling makes water safe.” That is not true. Boiling kills microbes but leaves harmful chemicals like lead or pesticides untouched.
- Some even say that “Bottled water is safer than tap.” Studies show bottled water can contain PFAS, microplastics, and even arsenic in some brands.
So, overall filtered tap water through reverse osmosis or other filtration methods is a safer bet.
Choosing Your Ideal Water Filtration System
As said above, it’s important to run a water test before picking the water filtration system. Every household and region is different, so at Watermart, we offer free water tests. We have the best models of all types of water filtration systems.
We always tell our clients that the difference between reverse osmosis and filtered water lies in how much each system removes. If your water needs “thorough” purification, we recommend RO to remove all contaminants. But for simple potable water, we only recommend a standard water filtration system.
So, whenever you’re ready to improve your water quality, Schedule a professional water test and consultation for free.
FAQs
Yes, reverse osmosis offers more thorough filtration compared to standard filters. So, it’s better!
You can drink water from a reverse osmosis system. It’s a myth that you can’t drink water from RO as it’s unsafe.
Reverse osmosis systems are banned in India only. It’s due to concerns about wasting water and removing essential minerals during filtration.
Water filtered through reverse osmosis is the best. It removes many harmful substances like lead, fluoride, and arsenic.
