Worried about the quality of your drinking water? It's a valid concern. At least forty-five percent of tap water in the US has traces of PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which may increase the risk of some cancers and other adverse health effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS chemicals are just one of many contaminants—including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microplastics, and more—that could be in your tap.
Thankfully, home water filtration systems exist to help reduce these contaminants—leaving you with cleaner drinking water and less waste from single-use plastic bottled water. If you’re looking for some of the most powerful filtration technology out there, a reverse osmosis system should be at the top of your list.
What is reverse osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through a semipermeable membrane to filter out contaminants. Unfiltered water is pushed through an ultra-fine membrane, which is able to separate out microscopic contaminants like PFAS or "forever chemicals," microplastics, chlorine, fertilizers, and more. Clean water comes out on the other side of the filter (and into your glass), while contaminated wastewater flows out through the system's drain line.
Why should you consider a reverse osmosis water filtration system?
Reverse osmosis is the most powerful type of filtration there is for filtering water at home and reduces a broad range of contaminants, according to the EPA.
For example, our Capella Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System reduces over 86 contaminants found in drinking water, including microplastics, DEET, flame retardants, prescription drugs, PFAS chemicals, and more.
There are other types of systems that are effective as well, including those that use activated charcoal. But reverse osmosis is much more impactful compared to many standard water filtration pitchers, designed only to improve taste and odor and reduce chlorine.
What are the downsides of reverse osmosis filtration?
While reverse osmosis filtration is the most effective at reducing contaminants, these systems do create wastewater as part of the filtration process.
Reverse osmosis systems need extra water to continuously flush out the contaminants that they capture. In contrast, carbon block-based systems like our Coral Under Sink Water Filtration System treat drinking water with activated carbon, which filters contaminants without using any additional water.
Reverse osmosis systems can also be bigger and more expensive than carbon block and countertop systems. But if these factors aren’t an issue, their capability would outweigh any concerns about space, price, or water use.
What is the best reverse osmosis water filtration system for me?
When shopping for reverse osmosis systems, look for those that carry the Water Quality Association’s Gold Seal certification. Products that hold this trusted certification are tested to meet strict standards set by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Also keep an eye out for the water filtration system’s performance data sheet. This document will provide all of the important info you need to understand the capabilities of the system, including the certifications it carries and the specific contaminants it was tested to reduce. Manufacturers usually link this info on the product’s website.
Cleaner water you can count on.
There is no perfect water filtration system that meets everyone’s needs—but it’s hard to go wrong with a reverse osmosis system. It’s the most powerful type of water filtration available, and a great investment in making your tap water healthier, safer, and more delicious.