8 Common RO Water Purifier Myths Debunked

Last Updated on 17 February, 2023 by Sourav Roy

Water purifiers have become an important part of our lives due to the increase of various water-borne diseases. With the amount of pollution in water these days, it has become even more crucial to drink purified water. However, there are various myths surrounding these purifiers, many of which bother a lot of users.

Common RO Water Purifier Myths Debunked

To help clear up these myths, I’ve written up this post on the most common RO Water Purifier myths based on comprehensive research and inputs from users I know. Let’s get started.

 

Common RO Water Purifier Myths

 

Myth 1: RO Water Purifiers Eliminate Healthy Minerals From Water

RO Water Purifiers Eliminate Healthy Minerals From Water

RO Water Purifiers normally purify water through Reverse Osmosis. RO purification involves sending water through a semipermeable membrane, which separates the contaminants from the water. This myth exists because pure water is supposed to pass through the membrane easily, while the TDS content and heavy metals stay behind. People think that healthy minerals like calcium get stuck on the membrane as well.

However, while that was the case for most older RO Purifier models, newer ones come equipped with Mineralizers or TDS Controllers, which add beneficial minerals back to the water. This way, you get purified water that’s healthy and nutrient-rich.

 

Myth 2: There’s No Need For Water Purifiers, Boiling Is Enough

Water Boiling

Though boiling water does decontaminate it to a good extent, it doesn’t make it completely safe to drink. Boiling gets rid of viruses and bacteria, but many other contaminants like fluoride, lead, arsenic, heavy metals, etc., can still be found in the water after boiling it. That sort of stuff can only be removed with powerful filtration systems.

Recommended Reading: Safe Drinking Water Guidelines in India

 

Myth 3: Purified Water Has Low pH Levels And Is Acidic

Testing pH levels of Water Purifier Water

Water gets purified through RO purification, which is a process that removes nearly 100% of the contaminants from water. So, naturally, it has extremely low pH levels. However, most RO Purifiers have an added Mineralizer or TDS Controller to avoid this problem. The controller increases the total dissolved solids content in water and then adds the essential minerals back. This makes the water healthier and increases its pH levels as well, so it’s safe for you to drink.

 

Myth 4: RO Purified Water Isn’t Safe To Drink

Drinking RO Purified Water

This has been the subject of debate for a long while. There’s a lot to say on this, but to put it briefly, the answer is that it’s completely safe to drink. People think this kind of water is unsafe because, according to them, it doesn’t provide essential minerals, has low pH levels, and can’t hydrate.

However, with the recent advancements of RO Purification technology, you can have all of that in RO purified water, with no negative impact on your health.

Recommended Reading: Top 9 Best Water Purifier in India (2023): Expert’s Pick

 

Myth 5: Water Softeners Can Purify Water

Water Softener

Water purifiers are entirely different from water softeners. The former provides clean drinking water, while the latter just down the TDS levels of hard water by reducing its calcium content. Many people think that these two are interchangeable terms, but that isn’t the case at all.

 

Myth 6: RO Purifiers Make A Lot Of Waste Water

How To Use RO Purifier Rejected Water

RO purifiers do produce a certain amount of waste water, but it’s not as high as you might think. In fact, it’s usually less than 10% of the water that comes from the tap. I wouldn’t even call the disposed water from RO Purifiers a “waste”. Though this kind of water isn’t particularly easy to make use of, you can still use it to take care of a lot of household tasks.

 

Myth 7: RO Water Purifiers Take Too Long To Purify

Ro water filter

The purification process in RO Water Purifiers indeed takes a while to complete, but that’s mostly due to the extent of filtration. Water in most regions of India is filled to the brim with contaminants and other pollutants. This makes it necessary for the purification process to take a long time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it in any way. RO Purifiers even go as far as to add back essential minerals to your water, so the fact that it takes time isn’t a big problem.

Recommended Reading: Which are the best water purifier brands in India: 2023 Picks

 

Myth 8: Activated Carbon Filters Are Better At Removing Impurities than RO Membranes

Carbon Block or RO Membranes

Each purification method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, for the best water quality, it’s better to keep both in a Water Purifier rather than just one. Carbon filters are incredibly efficient for getting rid of chlorine taste and odour. They can block off larger particles fairly well too.

Meanwhile, RO Membranes can get rid of just about anything in the water, including the things the activated carbon filter can remove. It’s still better to have both because the carbon filter can block out many large particles beforehand, letting the membrane stay effective longer. If the membrane alone were to handle all the impurities, it would foul prematurely and become much less effective.

Recommended Reading: RO vs UV vs UF – Water Purifiers

 

Conclusion

Water purifiers are a necessary addition to any home, and it’s important to understand them properly in order to make the best purchase for your needs. I hope this article has helped debunk some of the most common RO water purifier myths and that you feel more confident in your ability to choose the right one for your family. Remember, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m always happy to help!

Follow me
Share:

Leave a Comment