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Q. I've heard about R/O. what is this?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a common treatment technology that produces high
quality water. The process works by forcing water under great pressure against
a semipermeable membrane, where ion exclusion occurs. With ion exclusion,
water molecules form a barrier that allows other water molecules to pass
through while excluding most contaminants.
Typical contaminant rejection rates range from 85% to 95%, and a gallon
of highly treated water can usually be produced from two to four gallons
of raw water, depending on the initial quality of the water. Maintenance
involves the replacement of the RO membrane cartridge every three to five
years, and the carbon filter cartridges every six to twelve months.
RO is effective for the reduction of a broad range of health and aesthetic contaminants, though it is typically not used for the reduction of biological pathogens. RO also incorporates an activated carbon filter, which can provide added treatment for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not treated by the membrane itself.