THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATER SOFTENER AND A REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM

Water softeners and reverse osmosis (RO) systems both treat water, but they do so in different ways and for different purposes:

• Water Softeners. Water Softeners reduce water hardness caused by minerals like magnesium and calcium through a process known as ion exchange. As the water filters through a medium of resin (small sand-like beads), the hard magnesium and calcium ions trade places with the soft sodium ions in the resin. This process both improves the taste of water and can also prevent mineral deposits (called “scale”) from building up in plumbing and appliances, which can extend their lifespan and reduce water bills. Water softeners are usually installed at the entry point of a home’s water supply and soften water for the entire household. The resulting soft water will also greatly reduce adverse health consequences of hard water such as psoriasis (dandruff), eczema (skin itchiness and irritation) kidney stones, calcium buildup, etc.

• ·        Reverse Osmosis Systems. Reverse Osmosis Systems (RO) purify water by using a semi-permeable membrane to filter out contaminants and minerals. This process removes nearly all impurities or contaminants, including chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, lead, copper, iron, salt, pesticides, arsenic, nitrates, and sulfates. RO systems are installed at the point of use, such as under the kitchen sink (with a connection to the waterline of the refrigerator) and provide purified water for drinking and cooking. RO water is often used for beverages like coffee, tea, juice, and ice.

Both a water softener and an RO system offer significant benefits which improve the quality of water in your home or business. However, each works in its own unique way and each has added benefits. The two systems usually complement each other when installed in the same household or business.

Here are some things to consider then deciding to install these systems so that you may make an informed decision.

Why Should You Install Any Water Filtration System?

Depending on where you live, your water supply may contain high levels of contaminants that do not belong in health water.  These contaminants may include, arsenic, lead, copper, iron, chlorine, fluoride, E-Coli, pesticides, and many other unwanted chemicals and minerals. These impurities can give your water an unpleasant taste or odor and can also cause damage to your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

In order to remove these contaminants, a water filtration system is required. A water softener will remove the dissolved minerals, and a reverse osmosis system will remove the harmful contaminants and dissolved minerals.

The main source of mineral deposits (called “scale”) that build up in your home or business’ plumbing is scale (caused by hard magnesium and calcium). The buildup of scale in your water pipes can reduce the efficiency of your water fixtures and appliances that use water. This will lead to higher water bills. Installing a water softener will alleviate this problem and lengthen the useful life of your pluming, water fixtures and appliances (faucets, dishwasher, washing machine, coffee maker, etc.).

Installing a reverse osmosis system will filter out a wide range of unwanted and unhealthy contaminants and impurities.

Reverse Osmosis

Osmosis is the passing of molecules of a solvent (water) through a semipermeable membrane (filter) from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrate one. A fancy way of saying, “water passing through a filter.”  Reverse Osmosis is the opposite – when the solvent (water) is forced through membrane (filter) in the opposite direction – this causes a much higher concentration on one side of the membrane. More simply stated, all of the contaminants stay on one side of the filter and the water on the other side is contaminant-free.

As water is forced through the membrane, all of the impurities and contaminants are filtered out – anything larger than the holes in the membrane cannot pass through – thereby resulting in clean and safe water.