How Reverse Osmosis Compares To Standard Carbon Filters
If you’re a Tampa-area resident who is looking for a water filtration system, you may be wondering whether carbon filtration or a reverse osmosis (RO) setup will best meet your needs. Below, we’ll tell you a bit about the water quality in the region and describe how each system works so you can make an informed decision.
Does Tampa, FL, Have Quality Tap Water?
The tap water in Tampa, FL, is carefully treated to meet federal and state safety standards, but it can still contain harmful substances like lead, arsenic, chromium, PFAS, chlorine, chloramines, and more at unhealthy levels. If you have children, are pregnant, or have a condition that affects your immunity, you may be more susceptible to experiencing bad effects from these chemicals, which have been linked to cancer and other ailments. Healthy people may be able to tolerate low levels of these chemicals but be put off by the taste and odor of chlorine and chloramines in their water. Fortunately, a quality water filtration system can help you deal with these impurities.
How Water Filtration Works
Water filtration works by using physical media to trap and absorb contaminants like sediment, germs, and chemicals, making it more palatable and safer to drink. Different kinds of water filtration systems target specific contaminants, and some purification methods are more comprehensive than others. Carbon filtration, for instance, is known for removing chlorine and VOCs from tap water, but it is less effective at removing small particles and viruses. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems can remove a broader range of impurities, but they can also strip healthy minerals from your water in the process.
What Is Carbon Filtration?
Carbon filtration is an ancient water purification method that’s still relevant in modern times. Today’s filters consist of an activated carbon medium, like a carbon block or granules, that traps contaminants as water flows through it using the process of adsorption. The filter itself is very simple; it’s a passive element that does not require a pump, electricity, or additional chemicals to operate.
Carbon is extremely porous and has a huge surface area, and it works like a magnet to attract and hold the back sediment, chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals in your tap water. Some advanced catalytic carbon filters can remove chloramines, which are disinfectants that can aggravate conditions like eczema and harm patients undergoing kidney dialysis. Removing chlorine and other impurities from your water can also eliminate undesirable odors and give it a much fresher taste.
Activated carbon filters are great at basic filtration. Typically, the larger the surface area of your filter, the better it will work. Other factors, like the type, quality, and pore size of carbon in your filter, the level of contamination in your water, and the amount of water you treat can impact the efficacy and lifespan of your purification system.
While carbon filtration is very good at removing chlorine, it has limitations when it comes to eliminating smaller particles. A filter’s micron rating determines the size of the organic materials and dissolved solids that can pass through it; filters with smaller numbers will capture smaller particles. Most carbon filtration systems remove about 10% to 15% of total dissolved solids (TDS) from your tap water. Some modern filters rated at absolute 0.5 micron can block microbiological contaminants like cryptosporidium from passing through them, but in general, they can’t keep viruses, heavy metals, dissolved minerals, and chemicals like fluoride out of your water.
What Is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is an advanced method of water filtration that uses intense pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane and traps contaminants in the process. It is a more complex process than carbon filtration that involves several steps, including pre-filtration.
Most reverse osmosis systems actually include a carbon filter that removes sediment, chlorine, and chemicals that could block or damage the primary filter. They also use a pump to increase the water pressure against the membrane and increase its efficacy. As the clean water emerges from the membrane, it flows into a separate storage tank while contaminants are flushed away. When you turn on your faucet, the purified water will be filtered again and/or remineralized to improve its flavor.
The membranes in RO systems have pores as small as 0.0001 micron, which are much smaller than a carbon filter’s pores. This means that an RO filtration system can capture contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, lead, asbestos, fluoride, PFAS, pesticides, and other substances that would pass through a carbon filter.
Reverse osmosis systems can remove 85%-99% of contaminants from your tap water, but they also remove beneficial minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium that can provide health benefits and make it taste better. Determining the level of contamination in your water can help you decide which type of filtration system you actually need.
Choosing Your Ideal Water Filtration System
Most of us want to enjoy having the purest water possible available at home. When you’re choosing between carbon filtration and a reverse osmosis system, consider what you want to remove from your water. It’s a good idea to test your water for contaminants and discuss your filtration options with a plumber or water treatment specialist at Tampa One Hour.
In general, RO water treatment systems offer superior purification because they remove a larger quantity and a broader spectrum of contaminants, making your water safer. However, these systems are typically installed in your kitchen only. Whole-house carbon filtration systems, on the other hand, can supply treated water throughout your home.
As it turns out, you can have the best of both worlds. A combined water purification system that uses whole-house carbon filtration and an under-sink RO system is the most effective way to protect your water supply, ensuring you always have clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing. Your plumber can install a carbon filter at your main water supply, which means that it can work as an additional pre-filter for your RO system, helping it perform better and last longer.
For the Best in Home Water Purification, Call Tampa One Hour
At Tampa One Hour, we can help you choose a water purification system that’s right for your needs so you’ll always have fresh, clean water available at home. Contact us to explore the latest water purification options and get the fast, friendly, and expert service you deserve. Remember, if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay. Don’t hesitate—treat your household to better water today.
