Reverse Osmosis (RO) water differs from drinking water in several key ways. During the RO process, water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane(s), removing impurities, contaminants, and minerals. This process produces water that is cleaner than tap water in terms of its mineral content and overall purity, making it superior in many people’s eyes. Read on to find out how RO water is different from drinking water.

Filtration process

RO water is produced through the process of reverse osmosis, which filters out a wide range of substances, including minerals, heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms, resulting in highly purified water. Traditional drinking water can undergo basic filtration methods such as sedimentation, activated carbon filtration, and disinfection which may not remove as many contaminants as RO filtration.

Purity level

RO water is typically much purer than regular drinking water. The reverse osmosis process removes up to 99% of impurities, resulting in water that is free from most dissolved solids and contaminants. As a result, RO water is often considered to be “ultra-pure” in quality. This makes it suitable for applications where high water purity is essential, such as laboratory experiments, pharmaceutical production, and certain industrial processes. Drinking water can still contain trace amounts of minerals, chemicals, and other substances, depending on the source and treatment methods used.

Taste and odour

Due to its high purity, RO water tends to have a clean and neutral taste and odour, devoid of any mineral or chemical flavours that may be present in regular drinking water. Some people prefer the taste of RO water to traditional drinking water, often finding it refreshing and crisp.

Is RO water “better” than traditional drinking water?

Whilst RO water and drinking water both serve the purpose of hydration, they differ in terms of purity, taste, nutrient content, and production methods. RO water is highly purified through reverse osmosis, making it more suitable for applications that require ultra-pure water. Although, it’s important to note that it can lack some of the minerals found in drinking water such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential for overall health. Whether RO water is considered better than drinking water depends on individual preferences, water quality and specific application needs.

Investing in a reverse osmosis water system

Lubron can assist if you’re ready to invest in a reverse osmosis water system to ensure your water is as safe and clean as possible. We offer a range of reverse osmosis systems that are suitable for a wide range of applications and industries. Units are available with flow rates between 0.1m3/hr and 200m3/hr, built around the best high-efficiency state-of-the-art membrane technology.

To find out more about our innovative and reliable reverse osmosis filtration systems, speak to one of our highly knowledgeable experts.