Reverse osmosis is one of the most advanced and effective water purification technologies available for homes and businesses in the UK. Used worldwide to produce clean, great-tasting drinking water, reverse osmosis (RO) systems remove a wide range of contaminants that standard filters cannot.
This ultimate guide to reverse osmosis explains what reverse osmosis is, how it works, what it removes, and whether it is the right solution for your home. Throughout this page, you willl find links to detailed guides that explore each topic in more depth.
Table of Contents
- What Is Reverse Osmosis?
- How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
- What Does Reverse Osmosis Remove?
- Can Reverse Osmosis Remove Fluoride?
- Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe to Drink?
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis
- Reverse Osmosis vs Other Water Types
- Will Reverse Osmosis Soften Water?
- Reverse Osmosis in Wastewater Treatment
- Is Reverse Osmosis Right for You?
What Is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved solids, chemicals, and contaminants from water. Unlike basic carbon filters, which mainly improve taste and odour, reverse osmosis works at a molecular level to separate pure water from impurities.
In the UK, reverse osmosis is most commonly used for drinking water filtration in under-sink systems, tankless RO units, and countertop water dispensers.
Read our full guide: What is reverse osmosis?
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
A reverse osmosis system forces water through several filtration stages before it reaches the RO membrane. This membrane allows water molecules to pass through while rejecting contaminants, which are flushed away as wastewater.
Most modern reverse osmosis systems include sediment pre-filters, carbon filters, the RO membrane itself, and a post-filter to refine taste.
Learn more about how reverse osmosis works
What Does Reverse Osmosis Remove?
Reverse osmosis is capable of removing a wide range of contaminants commonly found in UK tap water. These include chlorine, lead, nitrates, sulphates, microplastics, dissolved salts, and many other unwanted substances.
See the full list of contaminants removed by reverse osmosis
Can Reverse Osmosis Remove Fluoride?
Yes — reverse osmosis is one of the most effective filtration methods for reducing fluoride in drinking water. While many standard filters have little impact on fluoride levels, RO membranes are specifically designed to reject fluoride ions.
Can reverse osmosis remove fluoride?
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe to Drink?
Reverse osmosis water is safe to drink and is used globally in homes, hospitals, laboratories, and food production environments. Because RO removes dissolved minerals as well as contaminants, the resulting water is very low in mineral content.
Is reverse osmosis water safe to drink?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis offers exceptional water purity, improved taste, and consistent water quality. However, it also has limitations such as wastewater production and slower flow rates on older systems.
Reverse osmosis advantages and disadvantages
Reverse Osmosis vs Other Water Types
- Reverse osmosis vs bottled water
- Reverse osmosis vs distilled water
- Reverse osmosis vs alkaline water
- Reverse osmosis vs water softeners
Will Reverse Osmosis Soften Water?
Reverse osmosis can reduce hardness minerals at a single tap, but it is not a whole-house water softening solution.
Will reverse osmosis soften water?
Reverse Osmosis in Wastewater Treatment
Reverse osmosis is widely used in wastewater treatment, desalination, and industrial water recycling.
Reverse osmosis in wastewater treatment
Is Reverse Osmosis Right for You?
Reverse osmosis is ideal if you want the highest level of drinking water purification and a long-term alternative to bottled water.
