Reverse Osmosis or RO is a commonly used water filtration system. It is a simple, straightforward, and effective way to remove most harmful contaminants, making the water safer to drink. Many experts recommend it for residential water filtration. At Simple Water Softeners, we’re happy to explain how this system works. Here’s a look at what you need to know about Reverse Osmosis.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse Osmosis is bottle quality water. Same process the large water companies use just shrunk up and put under your kitchen sink. Reverse Osmosis is a straightforward filtration system that pushes unfiltered or feed water through a semipermeable membrane, separating the permeate water from wastewater or brine. The filter allows most of the water molecules through while blocking all contaminants in it. The water passes through the more concentrated part of a membrane, where all pollutants are removed, and it floods the less concentrated part. This process can filter out contaminants like:

• Salt
• Fluoride
• Sediment
• Arsenic
• Chlorine
• VOCs
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• And more

RO systems aren’t very effective against viruses and bacteria, but water supplied by public plants is thoroughly decontaminated, so there’s no need to worry about it.

How Does RO Filtration Work?

RO systems send feedwater through several pre and post-filters to remove as many contaminants as possible. Simple’s Reverse osmosis has 6 stages Here’s a look at how this works:

• Pre-Filters. Water is first pushed through a series of pre-filters to remove most of the sediment and other such solids. This stage effectively removes any solid that hasn’t dissolved in water. Pre-filters are also known as sediment filters, and most RO systems have at least one present.

• Carbon Filters. RO system has 2 pre-filter carbon filters a that helps remove volatile organic compounds or VOCs from the water. It removes chlorine and similar contaminants while improving the overall taste of water as well.
• RO Membrane. Once the water passes pre-filter, it is pressured through an RO membrane, where approximately 97.5% of the dissolved compounds are removed. The RO membrane handles the bulk of the filtration, making sure the water has reached bottle quality standards.
• Storage Tank. All of the purified water is directed to a storage tank after going through an RO membrane. The system will continue to purify water until the tank is full before stopping automatically.
• Post-Filter.  The stored water passes through a post-filter before reaching the dedicated faucet. There is two stages in this filter. This final filtration ensures there are no harmful contaminants in the water, and is of the highest quality.

RO systems are highly effective and great for both residential and commercial settings. If you are concerned about contaminants, harmful substances, and want to improve the overall quality of drinking water, this system is a good choice. You can use it under the sink  and there is a possibility your refrigerator can also be connected.RO is most suitable for producing drinking water.

If you want to know more about reverse osmosis or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at Simple Water Softeners. You can call (210) 960-2555 or use this contact us form.

It is important to know how to by-pass your water softener and everybody should know this. There are several different by-pass valves. Some you must push something, others you turn knobs. It is very important for you to figure this out before you have an emergency and realize you do not know how to do it.

The Clack valve comes with a high quality easy to use by-pass, two red handles on the back of unit.

• When they are straight with the lines they are in service.

Unit in service

• When they are sideways with the lines it is on by-pass.

Unit on by-pass

The red handles have a more pointy end to the handles, so when they are pointing towards each other the unit is by-passed. When unit is by-passed, the water is no longer going through the system and the water is coming straight from the meter. So, if you have any issues with the water softener you can by-pass it.

If you have a white by-pass you are to push in the by-pass. Others have a solid black one with two dials, you turn  both a quarter turn and it will by-pass. The units will say by-pass and arrow will dedicate direction to turn.

If you want to know more about Water Softener By-pass, don’t hesitate to contact us at Simple Water Softeners. You can call Lisa (210) 960 2555.