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About Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Quick Facts "Reverse osmosis filters remove the broadest spectrum of chemicals from water as well as give the highest removal rates," says an EPA official. The most common treatment technology used by leading bottled water companies and the most effective in eliminating or substantially reducing most types of contaminants. The pores in a RO membrane may be as small as 0.0001 microns in size and are therefore effective at removing even viruses and bacteria from water. By way of comparison, some of the smallest particles (micro-organisms) are as follows: Giardia lamblia - 8 to 12 microns, Bacteria (such as E. coli and salmonella) - 0.2 to 4 microns, and Viruses - 0.004 to 0.1 microns. How It Works Reverse osmosis is the process of forcing water through a filter with extremely small pores, trapping the contaminants on one side and pushing the uncontaminated water to the other side. The process involves forcing water through very fine membranes small enough to trap molecules of pollutants, but large enough to allow the water to pass. Such fine filtration means reverse osmosis is a slow process, producing just a few gallons of water at a time. In which case, the purified water is stored in a tank that is typically placed below the sink, so the system can continually work toward building up a storage of purified water to draw from. As pure water passes through the membrane the contaminated water blocked by the RO membrane is diverted through a hose connected to your drain, in order to be properly disposed of. The process of reverse osmosis requires a driving force to push the water through the membrane. The pressure provided by a standard residential water system (about 50 psi+) is typically sufficient. If your water pressure is below 50 psi (pounds per square inch), you will need a model with a booster pump. Contaminants Removed Micro-Organisms. Bacteria, algae, viruses and fungi (including cryptosporidium and giardia) can still find their way into public water systems, and especially well systems, causing major illness. Reverse osmosis is one of the few home water treatment technologies (and most effective) at removing these, since it can filter down to 0.0001 microns. Pesticides. A study of U.S. streams and ground water found that 96% of all fish, 100% of all surface water samples, and 33% of major aquifers contain one or more pesticides at detectable levels. Pesticides are linked to cancer, birth defects and neurological disorders. Heavy Metals. Toxic metals can be present in industrial, municipal, and urban runoff, as a result of increased urbanization and industrialization. Toxic metals are linked to cancer. Solid Particles. This can include sand, silt, fine sediment, scale and rust particles, all of which can produce unpleasant odors and taste, along with potential health problems. Chlorine. Added to the water supply to control micro-organisms, but creates a host of undesirable side effects, such as unpleasant taste and odor. It can also react with other elements in the water to produce cancer-causing compounds. Arsenic. According to the World Health Organization, drinking water poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic via drinking-water causes cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder, and kidney. Lead. Lead can be introduced into the water system from water pipes, or the solder on the pipes. Too much lead in the human body can cause serious damage to the brain, nervous system and red blood cells. It can also result in lead poisoning. Fluoride. Some municipalities have chosen to add fluoride to the public water supply. This has proven highly controversial since fluoride has been implicated in potentially causing cancer and other adverse health effects. Asbestos. Long term effects include lung disease and cancer. Asbestos occasionally finds its way into drinking water supply systems. Other contaminants removed include (partial list):
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