Almost all drinking water is absolutely safe, but that doesn’t mean it’s pure. For many reasons, some people need water that is even cleaner – or tastier – than typical tap water. Depending on where you live, your drinking water may contain parasites, viruses, and chemicals. Standard water filtration systems may not be enough to remove some of these contaminants. The solution? Reverse osmosis home system.
Reverse osmosis is a popular method used worldwide to filter out impurities from water. It works by channeling pressurized water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out chemicals and microorganisms on a molecular level. Arizonans encounter reverse osmosis filtration systems at the water kiosks or businesses that fill gallon and five-gallon jugs, but a similar system can be installed for your home’s drinking water.
If you’re not sure whether you want an RO system, check out the five definitive reasons you need to install one in your home:
You Live in an Area with Heavy Pesticide Use
Pesticides and herbicides aren’t just toxic to bugs and plants; they are poisonous to humans and can enter water through various means. Ingesting even small amounts of these chemicals can lead to symptoms akin to commonly diagnosed illnesses.
Common chemicals contained in pesticides include ammonia, arsenic, benzene, and methanol. Many of these cannot be removed with a water softener or by boiling. Reverse osmosis is much more effective for the job, filtering out up to 90% of these noxious chemicals. With additional water filters in some systems, that percentage can be increased.
Your Water Comes from a Private Well
While private wells usually provide safe drinking water, the Centers For Disease Control says viruses such as Hepatitis A, Norovirus, and Rotavirus can enter in certain situations. These viruses are known to cause liver disease, intestinal illnesses, diarrhea, and other symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
If your sewage system has a problem or you live in an area prone to flooding, your well water is more likely to be vulnerable to contamination. With a pore size of roughly 0.0001 micron, an Ultima reverse osmosis system can filter out even these microscopic viruses and protect your family from illness. A reverse osmosis filtration system can also remove nitrates – chemicals added to soil that seep into wells and springs when heavy rains come. Some countries employ large-scale reverse osmosis efforts to help provide clean drinking water in the aftermath of natural disasters.
You Have a Sodium Restriction
High sodium content in food and some tap water are major contributors. Left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to stroke and heart disease, the number one cause of avoidable death in the United States.
Reverse osmosis home systems stop sodium molecules from flowing through the membrane, resulting in virtually salt-free water. Even a subtle sodium reduction can have tremendous benefits for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease. In fact, the U.S. military has used reverse osmosis to turn salty water into potable water for troops.
You’re Pregnant, Nursing, or Have Small Children
Developing fetuses and young children don’t yet have the immune strength to fight off common bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. Among these threats is the parasite Cryptosporidium, or Crypto, one of the leading causes of illness from drinking water.
Symptoms of Crypto ingestion include fever, stomach pains, diarrhea, dehydration, and malnutrition. Crypto is extremely resistant to common disinfectants, but cannot pass through the membrane of a reverse osmosis filtration system. Similar microorganisms sometimes find their way into water, and it’s better to be safe than risk your young family’s well-being.
You Want to Help the Environment
Reverse osmosis systems help protect the environment by reducing plastic bottle consumption and helping keep plastic waste from entering landfills. In fact, most bottled water companies use reverse osmosis to treat their water before packaging it.
Isley’s Inc. specializes in home water treatment service in Phoenix, including reverse osmosis filtration systems, water softening systems, and water heaters. Contact us for more information about how a reverse osmosis filtration system can help protect you and your family from environmental toxins and parasites.
