If you already have a water softener, you will appreciate the positive changes in your water quality. But, a water softener doesn’t remove other contaminants that can degrade the healthiness of the water you use for drinking, cooking, and preparing food. One of the most effective water filtration systems uses reverse osmosis to remove any remaining impurities from softened water. In this article, we will present three reasons why RO filtration and water softening work well together.
1. The Water Softener Protects the RO Filter
At the heart of the RO filtration system is a semi-permeable membrane that can remove a wide variety of contaminants. But, this mechanical filter is a fragile component, and it’s less effective at removing the dissolved minerals that make water hard (calcium and magnesium). Most modern RO filter systems have a dedicated prefilter, but a water softener makes the water easier to filter, and it limits the potential for damage. This prevents fouling where the tiny filter pores are clogged, and the lifespan of the filter membranes is extended.
2. Cost Savings
As a water softener user, you already know that you spend less on soap, shampoo, detergents, energy bills, and appliance repairs. In most homes, a water softener will pay for itself in less than no time. If you decide to install a RO filtration system, you will save even more money because the water quality is improved. There is no need to spend money on bottled water that has variable quality and is a hassle to store. The RO filter can give you high-quality water for pennies per gallon with no plastic waste.
3. High-Quality Water
The most cost-effective way to get access to high-quality water for drinking, cooking, and other tasks is to install an under-sink RO water filtration system. This is a point-of-use system with a dedicated faucet that’s usually installed at the kitchen sink for convenience. It may be possible to feed the line to the refrigerator to get pure filtered and chilled water with no need to decant it into pitchers. The RO filtration process takes time, and the filtered water is stored in a tank for easy access. When you combine a RO filter with a water softener, you will notice that your drinking water is extremely pure.
In Conclusion
A water softener is a great investment that improves the water quality and protects your home against the dissolved minerals that can cause so many problems. Combining a water softener with a RO filtration system can take the water quality to the next level. Reverse osmosis can remove a wide variety of contaminants, including sulfates, nitrates, cadmium, pesticides, herbicides, and many more. Pairing these two water treatment systems together makes good sense because the spectrum of contaminants that can be removed is much wider. Plus, a water softener can protect the sensitive RO filter membrane from damage too.
If you’re interested in a reverse osmosis filtration system for your home, contact your local water treatment specialist today.
By EcoWater Systems.
EcoWater Systems of Nebraska is the largest water treatment company in the state and is a member of Water Quality Association.