Reverse osmosis

How Reverse Osmosis Works
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a highly effective water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities from water. When tap water is pushed through this membrane under pressure, only water molecules are able to pass through. Contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and microplastics are blocked and flushed away into the drain.
The system typically includes multiple filtration stages:

1. Pre-filtration – Removes larger particles like sand, rust, and chlorine that could damage the membrane.
2. RO membrane – The core of the system that filters out microscopic contaminants.
3. Post-filtration – Further polishes the water for taste and safety, sometimes with activated carbon or remineralization cartridges.

Reverse osmosis removes:

• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium)
• Chlorine and chloramines
• Nitrates and nitrites
• Fluoride
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Bacteria and viruses
• Pharmaceuticals and hormones
• Microplastics
• Sediment, rust, and dirt
• Dissolved salts (TDS – total dissolved solids)
• Bad taste and odor-causing compounds

This makes it one of the most comprehensive water purification technologies available.

Ultrafiltration (UF) is a physical water purification process that uses a membrane with extremely fine pores (typically around 0.01 microns) to separate contaminants from water. As water passes through the membrane under low pressure, suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, and other large particles are physically blocked, while clean water and dissolved minerals pass through. Unlike chemical disinfection methods, UF does not add any substances to the water, making it a safe and environmentally friendly option. It operates without electricity and is often used as a standalone system or as a pre-treatment step for more advanced filtration technologies like reverse osmosis. Ultrafiltration is particularly effective in improving microbiological safety and visual clarity of water.

Principle of Operation – Carbon and Inline Water Filters
Carbon and inline water filters work primarily through a process called adsorption, where contaminants are captured on the surface of activated carbon granules or blocks. Activated carbon has an extremely porous structure with a large internal surface area, allowing it to effectively trap chemical compounds and impurities as water flows through.
There are typically two types of activated carbon used:

• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) – loose carbon particles, ideal for high flow rates.
• Carbon Block – compressed carbon with smaller pore size, offering more thorough filtration.