Reverse Osmosis FAQ

What is reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is the process of removing contaminants from the water supply.  A RO system uses a multi-stage arrangement ( 3, 4 or 5 stage) of filters and membranes to remove contaminants like lead, arsenic, chlorine, VOC's (volatile organic compounds), PFAS (forever chemicals), bacteria, and viruses from drinking water.

Where do reverse osmosis systems get used?

Reverse osmosis is typically used wherever clean drinking or culinary water is needed.  A reverse osmosis system typically installs underneath your kitchen sink.  The system consists of the filters, a storage tank and dedicated faucet for supplying the clean water.  A RO system can also be set up to feed your fridge or ice-makers in many cases.

How does reverse osmosis differ from a single stage filter?

Reverse Osmosis is a much more comprehensive approach to filtering drinking water.  Single stage filters like those commonly found in refrigerators do provide some benefits to improving taste and odor by removing chemicals like chlorine however, they fall well short of the capabilities of reverse osmosis.  Reverse osmosis filters out not only chlorine but all of the above mentioned contaminants.

Does reverse osmosis need a power source?

No. Reverse osmosis works off of your existing water pressure to clean the water. 

Do I need to maintain my system?

We typically recommend yearly changes of the filter components on your RO system. The membrane element will typically last about 3-5 years depending on usage and conditions.