There are over 2,100 toxic chemicals in tap water that pose a number of health risks. The only way to have access to safe, pure water on a regular basis is by using a home water purifier. Just make sure you are using the proper type.


When it comes to reverse osmosis systems residential units are popular because they give you access to clean water straight from your kitchen sink. While any water purifier is better than no water purifier at all, reverse osmosis systems are not the best available technology for water purification.


To understand why residential reverse osmosis systems aren't the best option when it comes to home water purifiers, it helps to know how they work. During the reverse osmosis process, water is exposed under pressure to a porous membrane. Inorganic chemicals and minerals, which are molecularly larger than water, don't pass through the membrane. Synthetic chemicals, however, are molecularly smaller than water thus pass through the membrane along with the water.


In terms of reverse osmosis systems residential use is quickly falling out of fashion for a few reasons. First of all, because synthetic chemicals are not removed from the water during reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis systems must be used in conjunction with carbon filters. Also, reverse osmosis removes the beneficial trace minerals from water and there are many studies that link drinking demineralized water with health problems.


Since drinking water purified with residential reverse osmosis systems means drinking demineralized water, many people are choosing carbon block or carbon granular home filters instead. The latter type of filter does not remove the beneficial minerals from water. Drinking demineralized water causes your body to reach an acidic state. In order to neutralize the acid, your body pulls minerals from your teeth and bones. When in an acidic state, your body also increases free radical production. The result is multiple mineral deficiencies as well as an increased risk for cancer.


When it comes to reverse osmosis systems residential use was not the initial purpose for inventing this system. Reverse osmosis and distillation were both created for the printing and photo processing industries, which require demineralized water. Furthermore, reverse osmosis wastes a lot of water. For every gallon of water it produces, two to three gallons of water are wasted.


In conclusion, residential reverse osmosis systems are not a good choice if you plan on investing in a home water purification system. Instead, look for a carbon block or carbon granular filtration system. It will remove all of the harmful contaminants from tap water but leave in all the healthy trace minerals. Furthermore, at 9.6 cents per gallon its price can't be beat. Look for a carbon block or carbon granular filter for your home so you can have access to pure, clean water all the time!