| There are many applications for the process. | | | | plant? This is one of the best applications for the |
| I decided to cover this one first and whole house | | | | system. Specialized membranes are used to remove |
| reverse osmosis last. | | | | salt from saltwater. |
| Since wastewater treatment is the first stop on a | | | | It provides our populations with another source of |
| long journey that finally ends up in your home. | | | | freshwater. This is even more important today than |
| The porous membranes in RO systems are the only | | | | ever before as freshwater supplies are in jeopardy. |
| active component. | | | | In order for a whole house reverse osmosis unit to |
| They are basically filters. They work something like a | | | | desalinize, it must include the specialized membranes. |
| pasta strainer, only the pores are much smaller. | | | | You would have to check with the manufacturer to |
| Anything larger than the size of the pores will be | | | | be sure about using it for this purpose. |
| removed. | | | | But remember that additional steps would be needed |
| Anything smaller will pass right through. | | | | to insure safety. |
| The systems are often recommended for | | | | How does reverse osmosis work in other industrial |
| wastewater treatment, because it would keep a | | | | applications? Very well, in many situations, it is the |
| number of contaminants from reentering our lakes, | | | | best choice. |
| streams, rivers and oceans. | | | | It can be used in maple syrup production and to |
| How does reverse osmosis work at a drinking water | | | | concentrate liquids, such as orange juice. It is used by |
| treatment facility? | | | | car washes to prevent spotting and to de-mineralize |
| In the same way as it would in wastewater | | | | boiler water in power plants. |
| treatment, but the pores are typically smaller, in | | | | Whole house reverse osmosis also de-mineralizes, |
| hopes of removing smaller sediments. | | | | which is why it is not a good choice for drinking. |
| But, you must remember that it is only ONE of the | | | | All of the naturally occurring waters on earth have |
| steps that drinking water treatment facilities use. | | | | some mineral content. |
| And, they still can't protect our households from | | | | That's what humans are supposed to drink. |
| contaminants. | | | | All of us need to be concerned about synthetic |
| That's one reason that whole house reverse osmosis | | | | chemicals that contaminate our water supplies and |
| seems silly. If its used by the treatment facility, what | | | | RO does not remove them. |
| more will it do for our homes. | | | | We have traces of prescription drugs, chlorine, and |
| Well, the pores in some whole house reverse | | | | cancer causing byproducts of chlorination, VOCs, |
| osmosis units are smaller than those found at the | | | | herbicides pesticides and lead. |
| facility level, so they may remove smaller sediments. | | | | How does reverse osmosis work in the home? It |
| Some units filter down to one micron or smaller, but | | | | doesn't work very well, at all. |
| they are very slow and require extensive | | | | Of all of the things mentioned above, it will only |
| maintenance. | | | | remove lead. You have better options. Look for |
| How does reverse osmosis work in a desalination | | | | them. |