Here we look at the disadvantages of reverse osmosis. There are advantages for many industries, but the question that many of us wonder about is; does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink. So, that’s what we will focus on.
Some of the disadvantages of reverse osmosis for home use are not relevant to the question of does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink. So, I’ll cover them briefly. Electricity is required for pumping and pressurization. Increased electrical usage results in a higher utility bill for the homeowner.
The units require back-flushing to get rid of the multiple gallons of wastewater that are created. There is no cost effective means to recover the wastewater. I have seen suggestions to use it for watering the plants, but I can not say that “dumping” the wastewater on the ground is acceptable to the Environmental Protection Agency. It is more likely that the wastewater must go through your underground septic system or into your sewer, depending on where you live.
Cost, is another disadvantage. The units are expensive to purchase, install and maintain. The porous membranes must be checked for damage and replaced frequently. The cost for replacements varies with the unit, but you can expect to pay at least $300 for a replacement.
Cost would not be a factor for many of us, if the answer to does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink were, “yes”. But, the answer is a bit longer.
Depending on your source, RO may make your water “safer” to drink, but alone, it cannot make it completely safe. It is one step in a complete purification process that usually begins at the treatment facility and should end with “point-of-use” at your home. But, it is just one step.
The disadvantages of reverse osmosis that apply to drinking safety include the system’s inability to remove biological and chemical contaminants. One of the health hazards found in water-supplies is the cryptosporidium cyst. It is a biological or living contaminant. It is sometimes referred to as a protozoan and sometimes a parasite, but no matter, if you ingest it, it will make you sick.
In order to remove this cyst, sub-micron particle filtration is necessary. Other biological contaminants can only be removed through chemical disinfection. Treatment facilities and many homeowners choose chlorine. A carbon filter must then be used to remove chlorine.
So, you see that one of the disadvantages of reverse osmosis is that multiple filters must be added and a disinfection method must be chosen, in order for it to be effective.
If you live in a rural area and must use a river or the sea for drinking purposes, you may have to forego the disadvantages of reverse osmosis, because most home systems cannot handle the contaminants present in rivers. For saltwater, you may need a specially designed RO system. But, remember the answer to does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink. You will still need additional filtration at your kitchen sink, for your refrigerator and possibly for your showerheads.
For homeowners serviced by public treatment facilities, there are only disadvantages of reverse osmosis to consider. While you do need a carbon block, sub-micron particle filtration and ion exchange to remove traces of lead, you do not need the added expense of RO. That part of the process is handled pretty well by the treatment facility.
William Manning has spent the last 3 years completing his PhD in Nutritional Science. His thesis focused on the deteriorating condition of the water supply and how that affects human health and well-being. Visit his water purification blog at www.absolute-pure-water.com to discover which water purification system he uses and recommends.
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