Fountainhead Water Systems: Reverse Osmosis. How Pure is the Water?

Reverse Osmosis Systems

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.

Reverse osmosis uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing pure water to pass through it, while rejecting the contaminants that are too large to pass through the tiny pores in the membrane. Quality reverse osmosis systems use a process known as crossflow to allow the membrane to continually clean itself. As some of the fluid passes through the membrane the rest continues downstream, sweeping the rejected contaminants away from the membrane and down the drain. The process of reverse osmosis requires a driving force to push the fluid through the membrane (the pressure provided by a standard residential water system is sufficient - 40 psi+).

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 a carbon block filter is included with your reverse osmosis system. There is also a carbon post filter to polish the taste. Water softeners can be used in advance of the RO system when household water is excessively hard to prevent pre-filter and membrane fouling. you could also use a softener cartridge instead of the second stage carbon if you do not want a whole house system. RO systems are generally the best choice for water contaminated with high nitrite levels as might be found in agricultural areas.

Arsenic	Bacteria and Viruses	Bad Tastes & Odors	Chlorine	Fluoride	Hydrogen Sulfide	Heavy Metals	Nitrates	Radon	Sediment	Iron	VOC's

= Effectively Removes

= Significantly Reduces

= Minimal or No Removal

* Even though reverse osmosis is effective in removing bacteria and viruses, it is not recommended that your rely upon reverse osmosis solely if your water is contaminated with bacteria or viruses. These are the contaminants removed: