Review of the best Ultraviolet Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
You've probably never drunk the water that the good people of Flint, Michigan have been forced to drink in recent times. If your water is even a small percentage as bad as Flint's, we can pretty much guarantee you're in the market for a water filtration system.If you've got a couple of hundred bucks to spare, then an Ultraviolet Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System might ju st be the home water treatment system you've been looking for:
Let's start with the ultraviolet part of the equation.
The UV light is was kills any nasty bugs that might be lurking in your water. Perhaps you've actually tested your local water supply and you're not happy with what you found. Maybe there was some coliform, E. Coli, viruses, bacteria, or other potentially gut-wrenching microorganisms and you want them gone.
The UV filter will eliminate those bugs.
And reverse osmosis?
You can be forgiven for thinking its simply something that plants do.
No, reverse osmosis is a damn clever feat of engineering that some brilliant scientist (Jean-Antoine Nollet) came up with so that you can have great tasting drinking water (and water for making beer!)
Reverse osmosis (or RO as it is often abbreviated to) is a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to remove unwanted ions, molecules and larger particles from water. A pressurized membrane system is utilized to extract biological matter from the water solution.
The pressure on one side of the membrane forces the water molecules through whilst retaining the unwanted items on the other side of the membrane.
Such a process means that unwanted chemicals and particles like lead, chlorine, fluoride, nitrates, Calcium and even arsenic are removed.
And that's how you purify water!
While it's unlikely that many residential water supplies will come into contact with arsenic, long term exposure to arsenic from drinking such poisoned water has a horrible effect on the human body. It's commonly caused by mining processes or agriculture.
But does it work? Does water taste clear? Does it smell less?
Let's check out the reviews left on Amazon by users who have installed the unit for themselves:
"First, it was not very hard to install. It looks intimidating when you take it out of the box, but if you follow the directions, it's pretty self-explanatory by the diagram alone.. I can say about the filtered water is the quality ice it makes.. I compared the filter water with city water to make ice, and the filtered water is a bit clearer where the city water is a bit cloudier. Another note, we never use to drink tap water, have been drinking bottled spring water for decades. We do feel the filtered water tastes a lil smoother and fresher than bottled water."
"I have no idea why we waited so long to make this purchase. Our water is better than bottled in my opinion! You won’t regret buying this product! And it’s saving us money by not having to spend money on water at the store!"
"This unit works well. After a few days of use, I decided to purchase a TDS meter (total dissolved solids). 1st. I measured the water from my faucet and got a reading of 135. 2nd I measured from the water from the refrigerator that I recently replaced the filter on and the reading was 115. Last I measured from the RO system. I was pleased to see the TDS read between 20-24. If you decide to purchase, know that the unit leaked for a few seconds when I turned the water back on. After it pressurized it stopped. I would recommend this product."
"This was very easy to install. I installed it in the basement directly below the kitchen sink. So not exactly typical. We also had the purified water supply line go to our refrigerator also. I was worried we would not have enough water pressure but we actually have more now than we did before we added the water purifier. Our ice cubes are crystal clear. The directions we very simple to follow. Everything is color-coded and very easy to understand."
The good news is that filter changes are quick and easy with a simple design and clear labels on what to put where:
While it's unlikely that many residential water supplies will come into contact with arsenic, long term exposure to arsenic from drinking such poisoned water has a horrible effect on the human body. It's commonly caused by mining processes or agriculture.
Express Waters' reverse osmosis system will achieve all the above and more. While it looks like a complicated filtration system, it feature's a logically progressive system to rid the water of unwanted items:
- The first stage is a sediment filter which helps filter out dirt, dust, sand, and rust.
- The 2nd and 3rd stages are Carbon Block and Granular Carbon Filters which focus on pollutants like chlorine, volatile organic chemicals, and odour-causing compounds. Which means your water will taste good and not smell.
- These early stages help extend the life of the 4th stage, the RO Membrane. The Membrane focuses on the most difficult contaminants like lead, arsenic, chromium, fluoride, & radium of all things!.
- The 5th-9th stages feature the alkaline filters which are stages of mineralization, antioxidants, and oxygen to your water. One for each Active Mineral stage your water flows through.
- The 10th stage is the ultraviolet sterilizer. The UV action can remove up to 99% of E.Coli, coliform, cysts, bacteria, and most other microorganisms
- The 11th stage is a Post Activated Carbon Filter which does a final pass through on your water, just before it exits the system via the faucet. This helps remove any potential lingering taste or odor.
But does it work? Does water taste clear? Does it smell less?
Let's check out the reviews left on Amazon by users who have installed the unit for themselves:
"First, it was not very hard to install. It looks intimidating when you take it out of the box, but if you follow the directions, it's pretty self-explanatory by the diagram alone.. I can say about the filtered water is the quality ice it makes.. I compared the filter water with city water to make ice, and the filtered water is a bit clearer where the city water is a bit cloudier. Another note, we never use to drink tap water, have been drinking bottled spring water for decades. We do feel the filtered water tastes a lil smoother and fresher than bottled water."
"I have no idea why we waited so long to make this purchase. Our water is better than bottled in my opinion! You won’t regret buying this product! And it’s saving us money by not having to spend money on water at the store!"
"This unit works well. After a few days of use, I decided to purchase a TDS meter (total dissolved solids). 1st. I measured the water from my faucet and got a reading of 135. 2nd I measured from the water from the refrigerator that I recently replaced the filter on and the reading was 115. Last I measured from the RO system. I was pleased to see the TDS read between 20-24. If you decide to purchase, know that the unit leaked for a few seconds when I turned the water back on. After it pressurized it stopped. I would recommend this product."
"This was very easy to install. I installed it in the basement directly below the kitchen sink. So not exactly typical. We also had the purified water supply line go to our refrigerator also. I was worried we would not have enough water pressure but we actually have more now than we did before we added the water purifier. Our ice cubes are crystal clear. The directions we very simple to follow. Everything is color-coded and very easy to understand."
So if those genuine reviews float your boat, check out the price on Amazon:
So where does a filtration system get installed?
To state the perhaps obvious, the system needs to be connected to your water system at the exit point of the water.
Typically this means your kitchen faucet as that's the place most members of the house will seek water from.
So, ideally, you'll install your kit under the kitchen sink. It's a simple matter of connecting the main water pipe to the entry point of the filter, and the exit pipe to the tap.
The system comes with a full instructional guide to make installation easy.
The connections are standard fittings so installation should really be a matter of 'plug and play'.
Given you'll need to change filters once in a while, it should be placed fairly accessibly as per the picture.
Given this is a filtration system, you will need to replace the filters!
- The pre-filters should be swapped out only twice a year: Sediment, Carbon Block, Granular Activated Carbon
- The others are replaced only once a year: RO Membrane, Post Carbon, Alkaline
The APEC water system is fairly similar in mode and operation:
- The APEC system is America's No.1 rated water filter brand with 20 years of success guaranteeing trouble free, noise-free system for long lasting, dependable, pure drinking water.
- The system comes with 100% lead-free designer faucet, plus Certified JG Food grade tubing and parts to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.
Something to consider is the removal of fluoride from your water supply.
As an aside, it's worth noting that many communities deliberately add fluoride to assist with healthy teeth programs so if you are removing it from your supply, you may need to consider alternative sources for that, especially if you have children with growing teeth.
The science is clear, the addition of fluoride has a strong health benefit for the community - however if you don't agree with science, a filter will help you in that position.
The Brondell osmosis system is also a pretty popular home-based water solution:
The Brondell osmosis system is also a pretty popular home-based water solution: