The general public is becoming increasingly aware of how important water quality is. In the past, it was considered normal to accept the quality of the water provided by the local water treatment company. In line with government guidelines debris is cleared from the water and chemicals added to kill bacteria and increase fluoride levels.
However, studies and various incidents have shown that contamination is possible and the water from your faucet is not as safe as you think. It has led to an increase in home water filtration systems, one of the most popular is the reverse osmosis water filter.
What Is Reverse Osmosis?
Osmosis occurs when two liquids collide. If one liquid has a lot of minerals in it will automatically move from the high concentration to the low concentration, effectively equalizing minerals in both solutions.
Reverse osmosis does the same thing but in reverse. Instead of solutions naturally colliding, the water is pushed through a semi-permeable barrier. This allows water particles through and not the minerals. In effect, the solution on the other side of the barrier has fewer minerals and should try to flow back to the higher concentration. However, the pressure behind the water prevents this from happening.
Why This Is A Good Thing
Even water that has been treated by the treatment center can be high in minerals and chemicals, including the ones introduced in the process of. The water can also pick up minerals and bacteria between the treatment plant and your home.
The result is the water is not as safe to drink as you think. Of particular concern is the heavy metals that are contained in the water. These are absorbed by your body but not expelled. They serve no function and accumulate. If levels are high enough they have the potential to cause health issues.
Chemicals in the water, specifically chlorine and fluoride, which are added by the water company, can cause health problems. Chlorine is known to cause respiratory distress and some research suggests fluoride intake increases the risk of cancer.
A reverse osmosis water filter removes all these chemicals and minerals, giving you safe water to drink. You’ll notice a difference in the taste.
Choosing A Reverse Osmosis Filter
Reverse osmosis filters are easy to fit into your water supply and need very little maintenance. They will remove the minerals and the chemicals from the water.
It should be noted that some of the minerals removed are actually beneficial for your health. Modern reverse osmosis filters can re-circulate the useful and safe minerals, allowing them back into the water supply.
If you’re concerned about water safety and the health of your family then a reverse osmosis water filter is a good idea. Simply choose a reputable supplier and get them to talk you through the options, including the maintenance requirements. They’ll install the filter and give you peace of mind in no time, it’s surprising how easy it is.
