Interesting facts about reverse osmosis water purification

Reverse osmosis has long been considered one of the most effective ways to filter water. This process works by extracting contaminants such as chlorine and volatile organic compounds using a semi-permeable membrane. Large sediment is unable to pass through the material, resulting in clean water that is safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

At Aqua Doctor, we are experts in all things water purification. Reverse osmosis is one of the methods that we use to keep your water clean and reduce waste by eliminating the need for disposable water bottles. Today we are taking a deep dive into a few interesting reverse osmosis facts. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about this practice.

Reverse osmosis has been used for nearly 300 years

Reverse osmosis was first discovered in the mid-1700s by scientist Jean-Antoine Nollet. Nollet discovered this method of water purification by using a pig’s bladder to filter out unwanted particles. The use of osmotic pressure to filter water was not, however, released to the American public until the mid-1950s. The key was to find a semi-permeable material that would adequately remove contaminants on a large scale. Eventually, a membrane made from m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride was the first to facilitate reverse osmosis water filtration for a large community in Florida.

Reverse osmosis removes up to 99.9% of contaminants

Reverse osmosis water purification systems remove more contaminants than any other filtration system on the market. Inorganic materials such as heavy metals and chlorine are all eliminated during this highly effective process. Using a carefully calculated measure of osmotic pressure and membrane permeability, the minimum percentage of contaminants that is removed in a working reverse osmosis filtration system is 95%. As a result, consumers are left with clean tasting and fresh smelling water straight from their taps.

Big cities rely on reverse osmosis systems

Due to a high level of contaminant removal at an extremely low cost, reverse osmosis systems have become North America's main suppliers of municipal water. Millions of gallons of seawater are passed through reverse osmosis plants every year in the United States. Historically, regions that do not have access to reverse osmosis water purification systems have suffered the consequences of lead poisoning on a mass scale. With over 80 different contaminants removed during this process, it has become the gold standard for large cities and towns looking for a safe, reliable filtration system.

Reverse osmosis does not use electricity

Methods of water purification such as distillation rely on electricity to heat the water into gas form, thereby separating inorganic compounds before condensing back into a liquid. Unfortunately, the energy usage that is required for this process to work can wreak havoc on the environment if done on a large scale. Conversely, reverse osmosis relies on a pressure system to filter out unwanted materials. This is far more energy efficient and is ultimately a more effective method of purification.

Household reverse osmosis subscriptions are available

For a reverse osmosis filtration system to consistently generate clean, great-tasting water, there are a number of factors that must be considered. For example, your water filters and semi-permeable membranes must be changed regularly in order to avoid clogging or contamination. Additionally, your water storage tank should be maintained periodically to ensure your filtered water is flowing from a safe, clean container. These services must be managed by a professional for optimal performance. For this reason, we have created an affordable reverse osmosis subscription service that provides homeowners with all the resources they need to feel confident in their water.

Contact our team to learn more reverse osmosis facts and schedule your water filtration system installation.