This is a common question that people ask if they’re considering adding one of these systems to an existing water treatment system. The main reason why someone would consider this is to remove the slightly salty taste of RO water. For this reason, we would not recommend combining these two systems. But, if you want drinking water cleaned to a very high standard, which is soft and easy to use, this is a good idea. In this article, we will take a closer look at both water treatment systems to help you make an informed choice.
What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
A RO water filtration system is a purely mechanical filter membrane with a pore size of 0.0001 microns which is 100,000 times narrower than the diameter of a human hair! These tiny pores prevent virtually all contaminants from passing through them, including arsenic, copper, lead, chromium, pesticides, calcium radium, fluoride, nitrates, and many others. The RO filter membrane can even remove microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and cysts, from the incoming water.
A RO filter system usually contains three or four filters: a sediment prefilter, a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter, the RO membrane filter, and a final GAC filter to add character to the water. These filter stages are effective, but the filtering process is slow, and RO water is typically stored in a tank until it’s needed. For this reason, RO filter systems are usually installed as a point-of-use (POU) system at the kitchen sink. This is the most cost effective way to get pristine water for drinking, cooking, food prep, making ice, and more. Although whole house RO filtration systems are available, they are less popular because the filtration times are relatively slow.
What is Ion-Exchange Water Softening?
There are a few different water softening processes, but ion exchange is the most reliable, and that’s what we will cover here. The incoming water is passed through a media tank filled with resin balls that are coated with brine and positively charged. The dissolved mineral ions are attracted to the resin media, and an exchange takes place. The mineral ions stick to the surface, and the salt ions from the brine are added to the water. So, the water hardness is removed, and a minute volume of salt is added. Some people that are especially sensitive to sodium may notice a salty taste in their softened water. But, a potassium-based water softening salt is a good alternative for those that want to avoid the consumption of sodium.
Combining Both Systems
RO water is cleaned to a high standard, and the dissolved minerals that cause hard water are removed. But, if you choose a POU system, you will only have RO water at the kitchen sink, and other taps and plumbing fixtures will continue to receive hard water. For this reason, it’s a good idea to protect your water using appliances and plumbing systems with a water softener too.
If you want to learn more about water filtration and softening systems for your home, contact your local water treatment specialist.
About The Author:
Greg Scott is President of Valparaiso based Miracle/EcoWater Systems, the premier water conditioning company in Northwest Indiana serving the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County areas. A 3rd generation water treatment professional, Greg grew up in the family owned business started by his grandfather in the late fifties. He has made water treatment his life, and under his direction and high-standards, the company’s water treatment experience, knowledge, and products are unrivaled in the region.