Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe to Drink?

Yes - reverse osmosis (RO) water is completely safe to drink. RO systems remove up to 99% of contaminants including lead, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, and bacteria. The common concern about removing healthy minerals is overblown - you get more calcium from a single glass of milk than from eight glasses of mineral-rich water. The EPA regulates over 90 contaminants in drinking water, but regulation doesn't mean removal. Here's how RO works and whether it's right for your home.

Reverse osmosis (RO) pushes water through a very fine filter - so fine that it blocks most dissolved contaminants. A good RO system removes up to 99% of lead, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, bacteria, and many chemicals. It's typically installed at one faucet - usually the kitchen sink - to give you purified water for drinking and cooking. It does not soften water. That's a different system.

A lot of homeowners think a water softener cleans their water. It doesn't - it removes hardness minerals but not chemical contaminants. And a basic refrigerator filter improves taste but only catches a narrow range of impurities. If you want truly clean, safe drinking water, RO is the most effective option for a home.

This is the most common concern. Yes, RO removes minerals like calcium and magnesium. But the amount of those minerals in tap water is nutritionally tiny. You get more calcium from a single glass of milk than from eight glasses of mineral-rich water. Many modern RO systems add trace minerals back for better taste. Bottom line: RO water is safe, clean, and healthy.

Trouble Free installs reverse osmosis systems that deliver clean, great-tasting water straight from your tap. We also offer whole-home filtration and water softeners - often the best approach is combining systems. Serving Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, and all of central Illinois. To keep your home trouble-free, call (309) 347-5309 to find out what's in your water.