Reserve Osmosis Water System

The history process of osmosis through semipermeable membranes was first observed in 1748 by Jean Antoine Nollet. For the following 200 years, osmosis was only a phenomenon observed in the laboratory. In 1949, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) first investigated desalination of seawater using semipermeable membranes. Researchers from both UCLA and the University of Florida successfully produced fresh water from seawater in the mid-1950s, but the flux was too low to be commercially viable. By the end of 2001, about 15,200 desalination plants were in operation or in the planning stages worldwide.

Reverse osmosis is an excellent choice for almost all home water purification needs. It is the most recommended solution for individuals on a pre-treated municipal water system.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

While reverse osmosis can be very effective in removing bacteria and viruses, it is not recommended that reverse osmosis be the only level of purification for water that contains or may contain biological contaminants (untreated well or lake water, for instance). For these applications consider a combined reverse osmosis / ultraviolet system or the addition of a complementary whole-house ultraviolet system for maximum effectiveness and protection against bacteria and viruses.

Since membranes are subject to degrading by chlorine, iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, and to bacterial attack, a sediment pre-filter and an activated carbon pre-filter and/or post-filter should be included with your reverse osmosis system. Water softeners can be used in advance of the RO system when household water is excessively hard to prevent pre-filter and membrane fouling. RO systems are generally the best choice for water contaminated with high nitrite levels as might be found in agricultural areas.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a filtration method that removes many types of large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane. The result is that the solute is retained on the pressurized side of the membrane and the pure solvent is allowed to pass to the other side. To be "selective," this membrane should not allow large molecules or ions through the pores (holes), but should allow smaller components of the solution (such as the solvent) to pass freely.

In the normal osmosis process the solvent naturally moves from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration. The movement of a pure solvent to equalize solute concentrations on each side of a membrane generates a pressure and this is the "osmotic pressure." Applying an external pressure to reverse the natural flow of pure solvent, thus, is reverse osmosis.

Reverse osmosis, also known as hyperfiltration, is the finest filtration available today. It is the most common treatment technology used by premium bottled water companies. It is effective in eliminating or substantially reducing a very wide array of contaminants, and of all technologies used to treat drinking water in residential applications, it has the greatest range of contaminant removal. Reverse osmosis will allow the removal of particles as small as individual ions.

The type of solution you choose will depend on your budget and the level or protection you want to install in your home. Our links to specific filter types will help you decide which type of filter systems is right for you.

Reserve Osmosis Water System

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS