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Reverse osmosis technology is a fairly new one but one that has rapidly taken over the water purification industry because of its ability to provide water in its purest form and one that can be carried anywhere without being constrained to one place.
The most beneficial feature of the reverse osmosis system is that it gets the water purified from numerous forms of impurities as it generally has a pre-filter, a RO membrane, and a post-filter that helps purify the water but it has its cons.
First, the RO process does not actually remove all sorts of contaminants from the water and most importantly, it gets rid of the important nutrients; the minerals needed to be in the water that makes it healthy to drink. This is what ticks a lot of users off when they use the RO system.
Secondly, the water wastage during the production of purified water takes more water than producing it. It is also fairly difficult to install and an excellent option, so it cannot be said that it suits everybody’s budget and needs.
Lastly, the problem with the RO filter is that it will be worn out by hardness levels of water, if there is a lot, then the RO filter will no longer be of use and this makes it costly. This is why this article will help you find the best alternatives to reverse osmosis that work just like the RO process, only better.
Here’s a detailed insight on the topic:
5 Best Alternatives To Reverse Osmosis
Listed below are some effective alternatives to RO;
Carbon filter (Activated)
The activated carbon filtration process is excellent in terms of getting rid of a lot of impurities in the water such as bacteria and viruses as well as chlorine, which reverse osmosis is unable to get rid of.
Unlike the RO membrane, the carbon filter does not trap the minerals, making it more effective and producing healthy and purified water.
It usually comes in two types: the carbon blocks and the granulated carbon form whereas the granulated filter allows more impurities to pass through so choose wisely. The carbon filters are quite inexpensive and affordable for anyone who wants a cost-effective option.
Distillation process
In the distillation process, the water is boiled and then condensed, making it easier for the impurities to be separated from the water making it purified from most of the contaminants present in the water.
It is also not a filter so you don’t have to worry about getting a new one or replacing it because it is effective as is and gets rid of high mineral concentrations, bacterial growth, and the presence of different solids.
Though it has some problems too, for instance, the high maintenance, a lot of time wastage and a bad taste that most people have an issue with so it totally depends on what you prefer in terms of your budget and power consumption as well.
Use of Sediment filters
This type of filter; sedimentation filter can be used as a pre-filter with the RO system as this filter comes with removable filter cartridges that you can replace from time to time.
The sedimentation filters are better to add to the RO system because they act as a strong shield against sediments or impure particles larger than 5 microns and provide a better-tasting, cleaner, and purer water supply throughout the entire household.
Use of Ionising filters
The ion exchange filters as the name suggests use a completely unique and specific system that consists of a special resin bed that allows for the exchange of impurities with other ions.
Through this process, a lot of contaminants such as nitrates, fluoride & uranium are eliminated from the water but a lot of minerals are also removed in the process.
The con is that the resin is prone to bacterial infestation over time and the filtration process is not as effective as the other systems.
Alkaline filters
The alkaline filter is similar to the use of a post-filter in the reverse osmosis system because it actually adds the minerals that the reverse osmosis process filters out, this process is also known as the remineralization process so alkaline filters are also known in the market as remineralization filters.
It may not be the ideal choice for getting rid of impurities and contaminants from water but it does add to the benefits of minerals back in the cleaned water.
FAQS
Is there a difference between the taste of RO water and distilled water?
The distilled water is boiled which may give it a distinct taste because of being heated at a particular temperature while the RO water requires the water to pass through (forcefully) a membrane that clears out all impurities and gives the water its clear and pure taste.
Is reverse osmosis important for water purification?
The most essential benefit of using an RO system is that it allows for the removal of bacterial growth and parasites and does not allow a number of harmful particles to pass through the semipermeable membrane. Therefore, depending on your need, the reverse osmosis system becomes important if you need to filter out water for everyday drinking.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of choices and alternatives to the reverse osmosis process for obtaining purified and filtered water but it solely depends on your personal needs.
Some people may live in areas with a high hardness level of water and some houses may have more than three family members or you just need a filtration process for the drinking water. Depending on your preferences, the above-mentioned options are the best and the rest is up to you.
But for you to choose an alternative over the reverse osmosis system, you must have a strong reason as to why you choose that because it is by far the best option for purifying water especially if you are able to maintain it.