Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding a whole house reverse osmosis system. Click on each question to discover the answer.
What types of contaminants can reverse osmosis systems remove?
Do reverse osmosis systems use salt like water softeners do?
If you are looking for a reverse osmosis system installed in the Kitchener-Waterloo regions, contact us.
Get all of your questions answered about a whole house reverse osmosis system
Whole House Reverse Osmosis System: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a reverse osmosis system cost?
The price that you pay for a whole house reverse osmosis system will vary depending on the type and quality of system you purchase. It can range anywhere from $300 for a lower quality system that simply sits on your countertop to $5,000+ for a higher quality system that is installed under your counter or in your basement.
2. How does a whole house reverse osmosis system work?
Step 1: Pre-filtering
In this first stage of pre-filtering, your tap or well water is pressurized by a booster pump and then passes through a particle filter called a pre-filter.
This filter will remove any silt, sediment, sand or clay particles that could clog the membrane on your reverse osmosis unit.
Step 2: Carbon Filtering
Your water is then forced through an activated carbon filter designed to trap other minerals and contaminants like chromium, mercury, copper, chloramine, and pesticides.
It will also remove chlorine at this stage. This is an important step, as chlorine can damage the membrane of your reverse osmosis unit and shorten its lifespan. The following video demonstrates how a reverse osmosis system works.
Water is passed through tiny pores in the reverse osmosis membrane to remove impurities
Step 3: Reverse Osmosis Processing
Next, the water is transferred under pressure into your reverse osmosis module. The extremely tiny pores in the membrane of this unit will only allow clean water to pass through. Any other impurities are block by the membrane and flushed down the drain.
Step 4: Second Carbon Filtering
Higher quality reverse osmosis units will include a second activated carbon filter. This additional carbon filtering will further improve your water's taste and smell.
The Duro Reverse Osmosis System, available at WaterSmart, features a two step filtration process known as pre and post-carbon block filtration.
The carbon filters act as a complementary measure to block dangerous chemicals like pesticides, herbicides and chlorine, which are small enough to pass through the reverse osmosis filter.
The Duro reverse osmosis system has a second carbon filter for even better tasting water
3. Where can I get a reverse osmosis system for my home?
You can purchase a reverse osmosis system online and install it yourself, or you can purchase one from a local company that will install it properly for you.
If you want a unit that is going to be the most effective and last longer, it's advisable to purchase it from a professional. A company that specializes in home water solutions will be able to test your water to see what you need.
They can also help you decide which size and type of reverse osmosis system would be best for your family's needs. In addition, they will know how to install it for you and test it to make sure that it is working properly.
It’s a good idea to get your reverse osmosis system from a professional
4. Does a reverse osmosis system replace a water softener?
A reverse osmosis system can replace a water softener, because like a water softener, it can remove the minerals that make your water hard.
However, reverse osmosis uses more water during its processing, so if you just need to soften your water, then a water softener is a more economical choice.
5. Can you use a reverse osmosis system with a water softener?
Yes. You could install a water softener to soften your home's hard water and then install a reverse osmosis system under your sink to use for your drinking and cooking water.
Your water softener will actually help the membrane in your reverse osmosis system to last longer, as it will have already removed some of the minerals that can damage it.
You can install both a water softener and a reverse osmosis system to work together
6. Does reverse osmosis water taste different?
Reverse osmosis water will taste different than regular tap water because the minerals that are usually found in your water will have been removed.
Some people prefer the taste of reverse osmosis treated water while others think that it tastes slightly acidic and flat. Reverse osmosis also removes other contaminants such as chlorine that can make your water taste and smell bad.
7. How are reverse osmosis systems installed?
Many reverse osmosis systems are installed under your kitchen sink, but you can also get them installed in a more remote location like your basement, garage, or utility room.
You install the system on your cold water line. If you have a water softener, then you will want to install it past where your water softener is installed, so that your already softened water passes through the reverse osmosis system.
Because you need to install your system directly into your plumbing, it is probably best to hire a professional to do this for you unless you are skilled at plumbing.
8. What types of contaminants can reverse osmosis systems remove?
Reverse Osmosis Systems can remove common chemical contaminants such as:
Reverse Osmosis Systems are very high effectiveness at removing:
Protozoa (i.e. cryptosporidium, Giardia)
Bacteria (i.e. Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli)
Viruses (i.e. Enteric, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus)
9. Are reverse osmosis systems noisy?
No. Reverse Osmosis units produce no noise other than the sound of water discharging into your sink or floor drain.
10. Do reverse osmosis systems use salt like water softeners do?
No. Reverse osmosis systems do not need to use salt or potassium chloride to produce soft water, so there are no added ions. This makes them a good alternative to a water softener, if you are concerned about adding additional sodium in your diet.
WHY CHOOSE WATERSMART FOR Your whole House reverse osmosis system
WaterSmart has been serving the Waterloo region including, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, and surrounding areas since 1994. We can help you select the best water treatment system including a reverse osmosis system for your particular needs.
We are committed to helping you improve the quality of your home's water. We live and work in the Kitchener-Waterloo region so we understand the hard water challenges of this area.
So, if you are interested in a water softener, we can help with that too. We know how to properly install and program your water softener for maximum efficiency and are familiar with the types of water softener repairs that you might need.
Contact WaterSmart today to book an appointment.
“What a great experience!! I did a search on the internet, called regarding the price of a water softener and the next day it was installed and we had soft water again. Paul removed the old softener, installed and setup the new one and was out in just over an hour. He also noted that the grounding of water pipe was not done by previous installer and he corrected that as well. Cost was the same as softener that was installed 14 years ago - I am impressed.”
