Why drink Reverse Osmosis water ?

What is Reverse Osmosis ?

Reverse osmosis is a water purification process wich eliminates various types of contaminants, impurities and dissolved solutes.

Although reverse osmosis is not specifically designed to eliminate micro-organisms, it can reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens because of the size of their molecules.

Certain organic compounds dissolved in water, such as pesticides, chemical solvents, chlorine and pharmaceuticals, can also be eliminated by reverse osmosis.

Reverse osmosis is particularly effective at removing dissolved salts such as sodium chloride (table salt), calcium, magnesium, sulphate and other minerals from water. It can remove many heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and copper, which can be toxic to human health.

Generally speaking, reverse osmosis is effective in removing a wide range of impurities, including suspended particles, sediments and other contaminants.

What effects do these elements have on our bodies ?

Not all the elements retained by reverse osmosis membranes are harmful, particularly the minerals contained in the water. As is often the case, it's all a question of dosage. Excesses, like deficiencies, are always bad. Water can contain minerals in varying amounts, and some of them can be a cause for concern in excess, while others can be beneficial. For example, a high concentration of fluoride can be beneficial in preventing tooth decay, but too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis. Similarly, high concentrations of certain heavy metals, such as lead or mercury, in water can be toxic to health.

Iron: Excess iron in drinking water can be a cause for concern, as excessive iron intake can lead to health problems, such as iron build-up in the body, which can lead to liver or cardiovascular problems.

Sodium: Excess sodium in water can contribute to excessive salt consumption, which can increase the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. It is therefore important to monitor the sodium content of drinking water, particularly for people who are sensitive to salt.

Lead: The health effects of lead can be serious, particularly for young children, pregnant women and the elderly. Here are some of the risks associated with lead in drinking water: developmental delay in children, blood pressure problems, kidney problems, fertility problems and cardiovascular problems, headaches, tiredness, irritability and sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, kidney damage, affecting the immune system and increasing the risk of certain cancers.

Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or inhibit the growth of parasites, insects or weeds, and their presence in drinking water can have a number of adverse effects on human health: Short-term exposure to high concentrations of pesticides in drinking water can lead to acute symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness and skin irritations. Long-term exposure to lower levels of pesticides in drinking water may be associated with chronic health risks. This can include health problems such as cancer, neurological disorders, fertility problems, endocrine disorders and developmental disorders in children. Some pesticides can accumulate in the body over time, which means that even repeated low exposures can lead to long-term health problems.

Tap water can contain a variety of bacteria, some of which are harmless, while others can pose a health risk. Here are some examples of bacteria that may be present in tap water:

Escherichia coli (E. coli): Certain strains of E. coli can be pathogenic and cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. The presence of E. coli in water is a sign of faecal contamination and may indicate a health risk.

Legionella: Legionella bacteria can develop in hot water and cooling systems and can cause a serious respiratory illness called legionellosis. Poorly maintained plumbing, cooling towers and air-conditioning systems are potential sources of Legionella.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: This bacteria can develop in plumbing systems, particularly in hospitals, spas and swimming pools. It can cause skin infections, respiratory tract infections and other health problems.

Salmonella: Certain strains of Salmonella present in contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal infections in humans.

How do I install a reverse osmosis system at home?

There are several systems available. It's possible to treat water on different scales, from a water cooler that dispenses your reverse osmosis water by the glassful, to a professional osmosis unit that treats all your domestic water, or an under-sink osmosis unit that provides a purified water source in your kitchen, for example.

Here are a few examples of products that might interest you:

For dispensing by the glass :

OsmoTOUCH is a water dispenser that will look great in any home. Available with all the latest features, such as water temperature selection for making hot drinks, or cartridge usage levels monitoring, it requires no connection to the water network or waste water. It's self-contained and practical.

OsmoDRINK

Having reverse osmosis water has never been so easy. This fully automated production unit fits under your sink and comes complete with all the connection and installation equipment. The unit warns you when you need to change the cartridges, which are very easy to replace thanks to a quick quarter-turn system.

OsmoBAY

OsmoBAY is a modern solution for reverse osmosis of water. It is ideal for domestic installation. All the machinery is housed in a metal cabinet on castors with a glass door that can be locked with a key.

OsmoBAY has three large pre-filters, 4 R.O membranes, a 40 liters pressurised osmosis water tank and an electronic controller.