| On of the most common questions that I answer is | | | | But here is the kicker - the chlorine that your water |
| why a reverse osmosis system has a sediment filter | | | | company puts into the system to kill bacteria and |
| and carbon filters prior to the membrane. | | | | other organisms will destroy the membrane, making it |
| The answer is that it is to protect the more | | | | more porous. Over time, the chlorine dissolves the |
| expensive membrane. The membrane is typically | | | | membrane and makes the pores larger. Pretty soon, |
| made of cellulose acetate. This filter, though physically | | | | the membrane is not doing its job as a filter, which |
| strong, does have some weaknesses. | | | | allows water to pass through. Next thing you know, |
| The sediment filter is used to remove dirt and other | | | | the water you drink has increased levels of the |
| particles which can coat the membrane, which will | | | | contaminants that you do not want. |
| reduce the efficiency. Think of the sediment filter as | | | | It is important to change out your sediment and |
| an air conditioning filter. When you first put it in, it is | | | | carbon filters more frequently than what most |
| clean and captures a lot of dirt. As the filter gets | | | | manufacturers "suggest". Just like a car air filter, you |
| loaded, less waster can pass through due to plugging | | | | need to change it more than once a year if you drive |
| of the pores. This situation occurs at the membrane | | | | your car on dusty roads to keep your fuel efficiency |
| as well. What will happen is that the membrane | | | | up. The same is true with your Reverse Osmosis |
| becomes less efficient and will actually treat less | | | | system. Most public water companies start increasing |
| water over time. | | | | the chlorine additions to the water to fight bacterial |
| As for the carbon filters, most folks know that they | | | | growth as the water temperature increases. I usually |
| will remove organic contaminants. The organic | | | | recommend that the sediment filters get changed |
| contaminants include hydrocarbons, chlorine | | | | every three months and the carbon filters every six |
| complexes and other similar chemicals, which can | | | | months so that the Reverse Osmosis system is |
| have a detrimental effect to your health. | | | | operating a most efficiently. |