WHAT DOES A REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM REMOVE

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems can remove common contaminants from water including nitrates, pesticides, sulfates, fluoride, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, arsenic and much more.

For decades, Reverse Osmosis water filtration has proven to be unrivaled when it comes to removing impurities from water in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Because Reverse Osmosis can effectively remove a wide range of impurities, RO technology is becoming increasing popular.

Can Reverse Osmosis Remove Bacteria?

Reverse Osmosis technology is not designed to remove bacteria and viruses. If bacteria enters the RO system, it can continually grow in pre-filters and deteriorate the membrane over time. Thus, most RO system manufacturers specify that the system "must be used with biologically safe water". Bacteria and virus removal is best achieved with a UV water sterilizer system. We highly recommend pairing a whole-house UV water sterilizer system (installed at your home's water point of entry), with a Reverse Osmosis drinking water system installed under the kitchen sink.

What Can a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System Remove?

The reverse osmosis process utilizes a semipermeable membrane to remove a wide variety of contaminants. Here is a partial list of impurities removed by RO.

TYPICAL REJECTION CHARACTERISTICS OF R.O. MEMBRANES Elements and the Percent R.O. Membranes will remove

Sodium	85 - 94%
Sulfate	96 - 98%
Calcium	94 - 98%
Potassium	85 - 95%
Nitrate	60 - 75%
Iron	94 - 98%
Zinc	95 - 98%
Mercury	95 - 98%
Selenium	94 - 96%
Phosphate	96 - 98%
Lead	95 - 98%
Arsenic	92 - 96%
Magnesium	94 - 98%
Nickel	96 - 98%
Fluoride	85 - 92%
Manganese	94 - 98%
Cadmium	95 - 98%
Barium	95 - 98%
Cyanide	84 - 92%
Chloride	85 - 92%

During the multi-stage filtration process of an RO system, water will pass through pre-filters (to remove sediment, large particles and chlorine), then on to a semi permeable RO membrane (which can remove most impurities down to .001 microns), as well as a post filter (generally a carbon filter to improve taste).

The chart below demonstrates to what level the RO system will successfully remove or reject impurities (typically down to .001 microns). For example, if fluoride is your main concern, you see that an RO system will eliminate up to 92% of it from your water.

Reverse Osmosis System Contaminant Removal Chart