Reverse osmosis explained

Reverse Osmosis Explained.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most thorough water purification methods available for the home. It works by pushing water through an extremely fine membrane — so fine that only water molecules pass through, while almost everything else is left behind.

Think of it as a microscopic sieve. Dissolved salts, heavy metals, fluoride, nitrates, bacteria and other impurities are too large to pass through the membrane and get flushed away, leaving exceptionally pure water on the other side.

Why choose RO? It's ideal for water with high dissolved solids — borehole water, brackish supplies, or areas where municipal water quality is poor. It removes contaminants that standard carbon filters can't.

The trade-offs to know: RO systems use some water in the purification process, sending a portion to drain. They also remove beneficial minerals along with contaminants, so some systems add a remineralisation stage to restore taste and balance. RO is typically slower than carbon filtration, so systems store purified water in a small tank ready for use.

For most South African municipal homes, carbon filtration is sufficient. RO shines where water quality genuinely demands deeper treatment.

Unsure? Skoon Water tests your supply and advises honestly.