Reverse Osmosis vs Other Filtration Methods: Which Is Right for You?

Reverse osmosis is an excellent way of filtering out impurities from water. Its problem is that it sounds rather forbidding; if the object of the exercise is to produce lovely, pure water, shouldn’t the name for it be all sparkly and pristine too?

That is the difference between science and marketing. An advertising or PR agency would have given this process a snappy name that evoked the purity of mountain streams, but the process itself is a scientific one, and science is less romantic.

What’s in a Name? Understanding is the Key

So, let’s look at how reverse osmosis works. It pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane so that the water molecules get through, but the impurities are blocked. If even this sounds too technical, let’s call the membrane a filter (which happens to be made of a manmade material that has more in common with plastic than paper). Everybody understands a coffee filter: it’s the same principle.

Permeable means something that can be permeated or got through; the smell of lavender permeated the room, which means it spread throughout the room. So, water can semi-permeate this filter, which means not all the water, or rather the pure water, can get through the pores (tiny holes), but impurities can’t. That is osmosis - but what is “reverse” about it? That is because we are talking about what is blocked rather than what flows through.

Like many scientific terms, the more you try to explain, the more difficult words you’re confronted with. So, let’s leave it at that and just think of the water that gets through while the impurities don’t.

Alternatives to Reverse Osmosis

There are other ways of purifying water. You could boil it, but think of all the effort that involves, and the energy it uses. You could add a chemical, such as chlorine, but then you get that chemical taste and smell. How many sugars would you like with your bleach?

There is ultrafiltration (UF), which also uses a membrane but with bigger pores, so it is good for removing impurities you can feel, but less so with dissolved minerals.

There are ceramic filters, which are good for removing bacteria.

There is ultraviolet (UV) filtration, which works by exposing the water to ultraviolet rays. Sounds good, right? Until you learn it doesn’t physically remove contaminants but interferes with their DNA to make them harmless.

Then there is activated carbon, which traps impurities within the carbon molecules. These are very effective against dissolved minerals/suspended solids, and they take care of the taint of chlorine, etc., too.

Why Reverse Osmosis is So Widespread

There is a reason why reverse osmosis is as popular as it is. It works. It’s effective against a greater variety of impurities. And it’s simple. It can be fitted under the kitchen sink to just deal with that, or it can handle the whole house’s water. Forget the name and the scientific terms that describe how it works.

Which Method is Best for You?

The first thing to do is get your water supply tested. Even if it is municipal water, treated and supplied by the local government water department, there will be a certain amount of contamination in it, and you need to find out what, and how bad, that is. Then discuss it with a reputable water purity company. They may, in fact, be the people who test your water, so you’re in touch already. They will factor in things like water pressure in your area and your particular household requirements.

With the information you have gleaned above, you’re better equipped to understand the technical terms that are bound to be flying around. Choose an experienced, reputable company, and they will help you make the right choice.