Is an Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System Worth It? Benefits, Costs, and Drawbacks
Source: Wired ·
The Waterdrop X12 improved the taste of my tap water, but reverse osmosis comes with costs beyond the purchase price.
From the source
That funny taste in your tap water may be a harmless nuisance—or it may be cause for serious concern. Either way, you can do something about it by installing a reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration system in your home. Stand-alone RO systems and pitchers sit on your countertop and generally require manual refilling from the tap. You’ll save space and avoid the hassle of constantly refilling the unit by installing an under-sink or under-counter model that connects directly to your plumbing lines. Either way, RO systems aren’t cheap. But for some homeowners, they may be an invaluable investment. Osmosis is the movement of molecules—usually water—through a semipermeable membrane that blocks larger particles like salts and sugars from passing through. After osmosis, the concentration of particles on both sides of the membrane ends up in equilibrium. It’s how plants get water from the soil, and it’s how your kidneys filter junk out of your blood. While osmosis is a spontaneous phenomenon…