When you hear about lead poisoning, you might think that you are hearing about something from the distant past; however, lead contamination is still an issue that is very much a problem in the modern world.
While lead pipes were banned from the plumbing system decades ago, this ban only applies to new pipes. With many homes using old pipes to receive their city water, lead poisoning is still something that must be considered.
Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Lead? Yes, an RO water filter system will remove lead from your water supply using a variety of methods, but you need to make sure that your RO system can remove enough lead from your water supply.
Learn more about how reverse osmosis systems remove water from your water supply, and make sure you rely on the best system on the market to protect your home.
How Do Reverse Osmosis Systems Remove Lead From Water?
As alluded to above, reverse osmosis filters will remove lead from your drinking water, but you need to understand how reverse osmosis water filters remove lead from the water.
Typically, a reverse osmosis filtration system will use multiple filter stages to remove a variety of contaminants. One of the filters in the reverse osmosis process is usually an activated carbon filter or an activated charcoal filter. Activated carbon filters use pore sizes, ionic bonding, and adsorption to strip contaminants, including lead, from your water supply.
What Is Ionic Bonding?
In your filtration systems, ionic bonding could be one of the main methods used to remove lead from your water. In reverse osmosis water systems that use ionic bonding, there is an electrostatic attraction between ions of opposite charges.
Lead has an ionic charge that will attract it to the filter, removing it from your drinking water. When the lead binds to the filter, it leaves your drinking water, helping to purify it.
While a reverse osmosis system uses ionic bonding, it removes much more than just lead. It can remove other contaminants as well, which is why it is one of the most popular filtration methods used in an RO system.
Does Your Reverse Osmosis System Remove Enough Lead?
As you take a look at various RO systems, you need to think carefully about which one is right for your needs. In particular, you need to think about whether it can remove enough lead from your drinking water.
The good news is that RO systems are incredibly effective, and unless your water has extremely high levels of lead, you should not have to worry about your RO system being overwhelmed.
Of course, you should test your water using an independent kit to verify whether lead is present and, if so, how much. Given that an RO system should be able to remove almost all of the lead you have in your drinking water, you should not have an issue.
If you have questions, you may want to install an RO system and then test your drinking water again. If you do not find any lead present in your drinking water, then you know you have done the job.
What Other Contaminants Might a Reverse Osmosis Membrane Remove?
Before drinking reverse osmosis water, you might be curious about other contaminants the system can remove. In addition to removing lead, your RO system can remove most inorganic material, chlorine, VOCs, PFAS, heavy metals, and even other chemicals. There is even a chance that your RO system could remove bacteria, but this is something that should be verified with the company before you move forward.
The versatility of RO systems is one of the biggest reasons why so many people rely on them to purify their water supplies. If you have questions about which RO system is right for your home, you should reach out to an expert who can help you.
Are There Any Drawbacks To an RO System?
Given that there are so many benefits of having an RO system, you might be wondering what the potential drawbacks are. Some of the key drawbacks to note before installing an RO system include:
- There is a chance that the system you use could remove the healthy stuff in the water as well. For example, there is probably fluoride in your water supply which is added to protect your teeth, but the fluoride could be stripped from your water as well.
- An RO system also wastes a fair amount of water. You might notice your water bill go up slightly, but you may be able to find an RO system that is more efficient when it comes to your water.
- An RO system needs to be taken care, which can cost a fair bit of time and money.
If you think carefully about which RO system is right for your needs, you should be able to mitigate some of the drawbacks of an RO system and still find what you are looking for.
How Do You Choose an RO System?
If you are looking for the right RO system for your home, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. They include:
The Type of System You Want
One of the first factors to consider is the type of system you want. The two choices are usually a countertop system and an under-the-sink unit. A countertop unit is less invasive and easier to install, but it will take up valuable counter space. Consider the size of the system and the installation location before you finalize your decision.
The Efficiency of the System
You should consider the efficiency of the system as well before you finalize your choice. In particular, pay attention to how much water is purified compared to how much water is wasted. For example, a system could waste four gallons of water for every 1 gallon of purified water. There are some newer systems with better efficiency ratings, but you also need to think about your budget.
The Cost of the System
You should consider the cost of the system. While it can be tempting to focus on the price tag of the unit, do not forget to consider other expenses as well. Consider how much maintenance you need to perform on the unit to keep it operational and how long you can expect it to last before you replace it. This will put you in the best position possible to be happy with your choice.
If you think about these considerations ahead of time, you should be able to find the best option for your needs. Remember that this is not a decision you have to make on your own. Consider reaching out to our team for help finding the top water filtration system on the market.
Find the Best Water Filtration System for Your Home With DROP
If you are concerned about lead in your water supply, the first thing you need to do is get a test kit. Figure out what is in your water before you move forward. Then, find the right water filtration system to meet your needs.
At DROP, we are proud to offer a wide variety of options that can help you take care of your plumbing and overall health. With a reverse osmosis unit, water filters, and smart water softeners from which to choose, we are confident that we have exactly what you are looking for.
If you would like to learn more about our options and how we can help you, give us a call or chat today to speak to our team! Let us help you find the best possible system for your home.
