| Reverse osmosis systems in the home cost | | | | resistant to chlorine disinfection. |
| upwards of $10,000 and they are not the right | | | | Reverse osmosis systems do not block lead, or |
| choice for most people. Unless you have a well | | | | any of the other microscopic particles that may |
| and you live near the ocean, there is no | | | | be in our tap water. To block lead, chlorine and |
| advantage to the reverse osmosis system. | | | | chemicals, we need activated carbon. To block |
| Advertisements say that they are the latest | | | | microscopic bacteria, we need micron filtration. |
| design, but they've been around for over 50 | | | | If your water is hard (has a high mineral content), |
| years. | | | | someone may have told you that a reverse |
| Large film processing plants use reverse osmosis | | | | osmosis system is the right choice. But, ion |
| systems, because they need de-mineralized | | | | exchange is a better choice. Instead of |
| water. Smaller processers use bottled distilled | | | | completely leaching all of the healthy minerals |
| water. People shouldn't drink either. | | | | from the water, ion exchange balances the |
| Drinking de-mineralized water will not cause | | | | mineral content. So, the water is softer, but still |
| immediate illness. But, it can lead to mineral | | | | healthy for drinking. Even bottled water |
| deficiencies, according to researchers. We need | | | | companies are adding minerals to their drinking |
| potassium, calcium and other trace minerals. | | | | water. Minerals enhance the flavor. Water tastes |
| Water naturally contains these minerals. | | | | fresher. |
| The reverse osmosis system was originally | | | | Certain reverse osmosis systems can make salt |
| designed for use in large treatment facilities. It is | | | | water drinkable. That's why people with wells that |
| typically, one step in the complete process. | | | | live in coastal or island communities may benefit |
| Although it blocks minerals, it will not block chlorine. | | | | from the systems. But, there are still better |
| No matter what the salesman says, reverse | | | | choices for drinking water. |
| osmosis systems were never meant for homes | | | | One final disadvantage to the reverse osmosis |
| with municipally treated drinking water. There is | | | | system is this. They waste up to five times the |
| simply no reason for it. | | | | water that they clean. The waste water is |
| The problems with our tap water cannot be | | | | "discharged" from the system. Some models can |
| addressed by a reverse osmosis system. Our tap | | | | recycle some of it, but recycling the water |
| water contains chlorine and other chemicals. | | | | shortens the lifespan of the membrane. |
| Reports say that it contains traces of drugs and | | | | The best choices for drinking water filters are |
| hormones. The FDA says that it may contain | | | | multi-stage systems that combine activated |
| lead, a toxic metal. They also tell us that there is | | | | carbon, with micron filtration and ion exchange. |
| no way to guarantee that public drinking water | | | | Reverse osmosis systems might be good for |
| does not contain microscopic bacteria that is | | | | some things, but not for drinking water. |