Presently, with rising concerns around water pollution, most people are actively seeking ways to make sure to get access to safe, clean, and healthy drinking water. If you have been considering investing in water purification technology, chances are you have been advised to look for RO or Reverse Osmosis water purifiers. But do you really know what Reverse Osmois is and how it benefits you?
In this blog, we’ll break down what Reverse Osmosis is, how it works, and the key benefits it offers for your health and home.
What is Reverse Osmosis and Why is it So Popular?
RO or Reverse Osmosis is the water purification system that uses pressure to force water via a semi-permeable membrane, separating the water molecules from several other substances like minerals, salts, and other impurities.
But are you wondering why it is so popular? Reverse osmosis has the ability to deliver clean and safe drinking water, even in areas where water quality is poor. Moreover, it is highly effective in removing contaminants, including lead, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, and bacteria, hence making it an ideal choice for Indian households.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Before diving much deeper into the process of reverse osmosis, let us first understand the process of osmosis. Reverse Osmosis, as we have read above the meaning of it, now let’s understand how this works. There is an applied pressure that overcomes the osmotic pressure. Now, as the contaminated water tries to move back to the pure water, it has to pass through a membrane, and this time, the contaminants are blocked! Resulting in just pure water, which you can then drink! This is how reverse osmosis is used in water treatment. This process gets rid of 99.9% of all contaminants in the water!
Stages of Reverse Osmosis
Sediment Process or Pre-Filter Process
This is the first process of reverse osmosis. It removes all the large particles like dust, dirt, sand, and rust that may damage or clog the RO membrane.
Activated Carbon Filter
In this process, chlorine, chloramine, and other chemicals that are sometimes responsible for unpleasant odors and tastes are removed from the water. Also, it protects the RO membrane from chemical degradation.
RO Membrane
In this process, water is pushed via a semi-permeable RO membrane, which filters out dissolved salts, heavy metals, fluoride, nitrates, bacteria, and viruses.
Post-Carbon Filter
After purification, the water passes through another carbon filter to boost its taste and remove any odors, hence providing clean and healthy drinking water.
UV Lamp
Some advanced reverse osmosis systems include an ultraviolet filter for added protection against microbial contamination, making sure the water is safe for consumption.
Benefits of reverse osmosis
Getting Odour-free Water
Most restaurants prefer RO-filtered water for their cooking, as the RO process has proven to reduce the TDS of water by a huge percentage, making it odour-free and giving it a sweet taste.
Removes Harmful Contaminants
Reverse osmosis systems effectively remove all the contaminants, which include heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, and viruses, hence making sure water is safe and healthy drinking water.
Health Benefits
Safe, clean, and healthy drinking water is important for maintaining good health. Additionally, with harmful pollutants removed, RO-purified water supports better hydration, improved digestion, and overall wellness.
Being environmentally friendly
Having an RO filter at home is a much better option than relying on water cans or packed bottles bought at the store. Your family enjoys clean, safe, and healthy drinking water without causing harm to the environment!
Does a reverse osmosis purifier waste water?
Yes, RO purifiers do waste water as a part of the filtration process. Additionally, for every liter of purified water, a traditional RO system can waste around 3-4 liters of water, but with newer models with advanced recovery technologies, it reduces to 1-2 liters. The rejected water, which contains concentrated impurities, can be reused for several other purposes like mopping, toilet flushing, or gardening.
Is Reverse Osmosis Good for You?
RO or Reverse Osmosis water provides several health benefits and makes it a much more popular choice for home water purification. One of the biggest advantages is its ability to effectively remove all the harmful contaminants like heavy metals, nitrates, arsenic, and even some bacteria and viruses. This overall results in water that not only tastes and smells fresh but is also significantly safer to drink, especially in areas with high TDS or poor water quality. Moreover, RO systems are also beneficial for people on low-sodium diets, as they help in reducing sodium levels in softened water.
How to improve the efficiency of your RO water purifier
So, to improve the efficiency of your RO water purifier, regular maintenance and smart usage are key. It is advisable to start by replacing filters and membranes on time, typically every 6-12 months, because clogged filters can reduce the water flow and increase waste. Moreover, keep a watch on water pressure; RO systems perform best at the recommended pressure.
Moreover, using a pre-filter can help trap all the sediment before it reaches the RO membrane, hence extending its lifespan and improving the RO water purifier’s performance. Also, consider upgrading to a high-recovery or water-saving RO model that reduces the amount of water wasted during purification. Besides, regularly clean and sanitize the system to prevent microbial buildup, and avoid overuse by turning off the system when not needed. With these practices, you can maximize the lifespan and efficiency of your RO purifier while minimizing water and energy waste.
What to consider when purchasing an RO water purifier?
Water Quality & TDS Level
Before you consider purchasing an RO water purifier, start by testing the TDS level of your tap or borewell water. Most of the RO water purifiers are ideal for water with high TDS, heavy metals, or chemical pollutants.
Purification Stages
Also, a good RO system includes multiple filtration systems like sediment filters, carbon filters, RO membranes, and optionally UV lamps for added safety. Each set of stages targets specific impurities; sediment removes physical particles, eliminates carbon and odours, and RO membranes remove dissolved salts and all the heavy metals.
Mineral Retention/Enhancement
Reverse osmosis removes harmful contaminants and all the essential minerals like magnesium and calcium. So, make sure to choose a purifier with a mineraliser or alkaline cartridge to restore these nutrients and boost the water’s taste.
Certification & Brand Reputation
Make sure to always choose a purifier brand with a trusted organisation like ISO, which makes sure of the safety and performance standards. Moreover, most of the established brands tend to have better build quality, reliable technology, and good customer service.
Which is the best RO water purifier on the market?
There are several RO water purifiers on the market, but why buy a water purifier when you can rent one? And not just any water purifier – DrinkPrime RO water purifier comes with customised filters that are used to suit your input water quality. This ensures your drinking water is never under-purified or over-purified, leaving you with clean, safe, and healthy drinking water always!
Summary
In summary, with the growing concern of water pollution, making sure access to safe, clean, and healthy drinking water is no longer a luxury but also a necessity. Reverse osmosis has emerged as one of the most ideal and reliable effective water purification technologies, offering protection against a wide range of contaminants while improving the quality of drinking water.
From understanding how reverse osmosis works to learning about its several stages and benefits, it is clear that investing in a good water purification system is important for your health and well-being. And with smart, hassle-free options like DrinkPrime, you don’t even have to buy one. You can rent a smart RO purifier that adapts to your water quality, ensuring you get only the best without the upfront cost.
So if you’re still relying on water cans or bottles, maybe it’s time to make the switch—to something more sustainable, cost-effective, and health-focused. Choose DrinkPrime and make every sip safe, clean, and worry-free.