Here’s what to know about your H20
Reverse osmosis (RO) can remove 99.9% of impurities from water by forcing your tap water through a semipermeable membrane.
Filtered water systems, like those in a water pitcher or bottle, are more affordable and much easier to DIY.
Reverse osmosis water filters cost $2,200 on average, but you can get a multi-pack of name-brand pitcher filters for $20 or less.
Reverse osmosis (RO) and filtered water are the two main types of water purification, but they differ in their installation, the contaminants they can remove, and their cost. If you’re considering reverse osmosis versus filtered water for your home, keep reading to find out more about how they work, their cost, environmental impacts, maintenance, and water taste.
Reverse osmosis is a type of water filtration system. In RO systems, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane to remove 99.9% of impurities. RO systems commonly have three separate filters, but they can have up to seven. When you hear people talking about filtered water, on the other hand, they’re often talking about water that’s gone through a simple filter, like the one in your kitchen water pitcher or fridge filter. These filters are often made of carbon or ion exchange resin.
An RO water filtration system uses reverse osmosis to purify water. In essence, it sends water through a semipermeable membrane that removes microscopic contaminants, even dissolved ones. When paired with a carbon filter, RO can also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Removes microscopic contaminants | More expensive |
| Removes odors and neutralizes taste | Not eco-friendly |
| Tank holds treated water | Slow filtration |
Best for:
Those who want improved water taste
Households that want purified water for cooking
Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of reverse osmosis systems:
Removes microscopic contaminants: An RO system removes microscopic contaminants and pollutants, including viruses and bacteria, from water.
Removes odors and neutralizes taste: Because RO removes all minerals from the water, even dissolved ones, there’s a neutral taste with no odor as a result.
Tank holds treated water: RO systems have large holding tanks that keep more water at the ready than you can have in a filtered pitcher.
Here are some of the disadvantages of reverse osmosis systems:
More expensive to install and maintain: Due to the complex nature of the multi-stage RO system, it’s more expensive to install and maintain. It is not DIY-friendly, so you’ll need to get in touch with a local water expert for installation.
Not eco-friendly: The complex RO process requires more energy and wastes a lot of water.
Slow filtration speed: While RO systems do have holding tanks that keep more water at the ready than a filtered water pitcher can, it takes a long time to fill that tank.
Water filter systems can remove some but not all pollutants from water. It all depends on the filter installed on your faucet or in your water pitcher. Activated carbon filters, for example, can remove VOCs and chlorine along with bad tastes and odors, but they don’t do much to remove minerals. Depending on what you want or don’t want in your drinking water, purchase a water filter system accordingly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Doesn’t remove minerals |
| Less expensive | Frequent filter replacement |
| Faster water flow | Might not affect taste |
Best for:
Those who want easy access to filtered water
Health-conscious people who want some minerals left in their water
Those who prefer eco-friendly appliances
Here are some of the pros of filtered water systems:
Easy to install: Filling a filtered pitcher or installing a filter on a kitchen faucet is easy, even for a new DIYer.
Less expensive: While you can purchase a whole-house filtration system, sink filters and filtered pitchers are much less costly up front.
Faster water flow: Filters allow water to flow instantly, whereas RO has a wait time.
Here are some of the cons of filtered water systems:
Doesn’t remove minerals: Filters can remove bad things from your water, but only RO systems can remove minerals.
Frequent filter replacement: Your water is only as fresh as your water filter. While these are easy to replace, you will have to keep on top of your replacement schedule if you want pure water.
Might not affect taste: Water taste depends on what’s removed and what’s kept in your water, which will vary by the filter you choose.
Let’s review some of the main features of reverse osmosis and filtered water systems and see which one is the better choice for your household’s needs.
RO can remove microscopic pollutants and even dissolved minerals from water. When paired with a carbon filter, reverse osmosis can also remove VOCs. Not all water filters remove minerals, and they simply can’t remove as many contaminants as RO can.
Look for an NSF rating on your water treatment device. These ratings come from the National Sanitation Foundation and give you more detail about what a product does. An NSF seal also means that the product has been tested and certified safe with proper use.
Even with consistent filter replacements, filtered water is still more budget-friendly than RO. Reverse osmosis water filters cost $2,200 on average to install, and you still have to replace the filters every so often. You can buy a three-pack of name-brand pitcher filters for $20 or less (though you do have to replace them more often, around every three months).
The RO process removes odors and neutralizes the taste of water. Water filters can remove odors from water, but the taste remains the same since not all of them can remove minerals.
Unless you are a supremely patient person, you’ll want filtered water. Some systems produce filtered water instantly. While RO systems do have holding tanks that keep more pure water at the ready, it takes a long time to get that water ready.
While RO needs a pro installer, even the greenest DIYers can install a water filter in a pitcher or on a sink.
Even though water filters need more frequent maintenance, it’s much simpler than maintaining an RO system. There are several filters in an RO system, and they may not all need replacement at the same time, making the maintenance schedule a bit of a balancing act. Plus, they’re not as easily accessible as pitcher filters.
Filtered water permits beneficial minerals to remain in the water, whereas RO removes them all. That said, RO is not unhealthy for you or your drinking water.
Filtered water has a much lower impact on the environment, while RO uses more energy and wastes more water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, point-of-use RO systems (like one attached only to your kitchen faucet) waste between 5 and 10 gallons of water for every gallon of filtered water they produce.
