For the past decade, bottled water has enjoyed increasing popularity. It often ranks second to soda in the list of most consumed beverages across the country. We also spend quite a lot of money (approximately $15 billion per year) on water bottles. Although bottled water is a common part of our daily lives, it does not always make the best decision for our health or our wallets. Is it worth exploring other options like reverse osmosis?
RO water’s most popular benefit is its convenience. They can be hidden under the sink. RO water can be accessed right from the tap. You don’t have to run to the store looking for more water and you won’t waste any plastic bottles.
Which is better, RO water or bottled water? Interestingly, RO water can be bottled water. Many major bottled water companies, including Aquafina, Nestle, and Dasani, have reverse osmosis filtration. However, bottled water tastes can vary from brand to brand, and tap water can have different flavors depending on where it is located.
There are still many options and reasons to use bottled water as a substitute for your home reverse osmosis system.
What Is Reverse Osmosis Filtering?
Culligan reverse osmosis uses water to pass through a multistage filtration system that includes a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows only certain particles to pass through. This means that common contaminants and not-so-common contaminants are eliminated from the water. You get purer and better-tasting water. Reverse osmosis not only improves water safety by eliminating harmful contaminants (such as lead) but it can also enhance the taste and provide health benefits.
Reverse Osmosis Water Vs. Mineral Water
Although RO water and mineral water are quite different, they both have their own purification processes. How is that possible?
Mineral water is more mineral-rich than regular tap water. Reverse osmosis, however, removes many of these minerals and additives groundwater collects before it reaches your tap. Most mineral water brands have their products go through a filter before adding the minerals back in. Reverse osmosis reduces the amount of total dissolved substances in your water. However, mineral water must have a minimum TDS count of 250 parts for a million to be considered as such.
Mineral water is more appealing to consumers because it has a better taste than reverse osmosis water. This is because many minerals have been removed from the water. It comes down to personal taste preferences. You are drinking water purified by filtration, often reverse osmosis.
What are the differences between bottled water and reverse osmosis?
So what’s the difference between the bottled water you’re used to and reverse osmosis water?
The short answer to your question is consistency and taste.
There are very few standards when it comes to the taste of bottled water. This is due in part to the many variations (artesian, mineral, and drinking water), which all have their own regulations, but don’t usually have any regulation regarding taste. It’s always a risky gamble as to what you will actually drink and how it tastes if you buy bottled water at a store. It is safe to drink, but it can taste and be a bit different depending on the brand and the type of bottled water.
Reverse osmosis water has a consistent quality and taste. Your home’s water is precisely calibrated to remove impurities. This leaves you with water that tastes great and is as reliable as your tap.
Culligan reverse osmosis water systems can be installed at your sink. Depending on the model, they may be hidden so that all you see on the counter (as with the ClearLink Pro) is a button. Once installed, RO filtered water is available to you at any time you want. You don’t have to run to the store looking for more water and you won’t waste any plastic bottles.
Here are some additional considerations when you rely on bottled water.
- Plastic – Plastic is being scrutinized for many reasons. Not the least, its effects on the environment and health. Plastic water bottles can contain chemicals that can leach into the water. The chances of this happening increase with time and environmental factors like heat. Plastic bottles are also a major contributor to waste. Many of them don’t get recycled properly and end up in landfills, our waterways, and oceans.
- Cost: Bottled Water can be expensive, especially if you have more than one person or a large household. Bottled water can be expensive and can become a monthly expense. A water filtration system is generally more cost-effective and can even save you money.
- Convenience – If you depend on bottled water, this typically means that you need to buy it, transport it and store it. This can lead to higher costs (gas, time, and so on). This is in addition to the waste. Reverse osmosis requires only periodic maintenance. This can be automated so that you don’t have to think about it!
This post was written by a water treatment expert at Paragon Water Systems. At Paragon Water Systems we are the Manufacturers of the best Carbon Block Water Filter! We know that the best product comes from the best materials. We manufacture home water solutions such as reverse osmosis systems, under sink water filtration systems, showerhead filtration systems, carbon cartridges, and a wide variety of other products. Our focus is to provide Americans with safe and clean water throughout the home.
