Will a reverse osmosis system remove lead?

Yes. The reverse osmosis membrane will reduce lead in your drinking water. Some reverse osmosis systems are specifically certified for lead removal.

How do I know what is in my drinking water?

If you are on city water, your local water must meet very strict Federal and State standards for purity. However, in areas that use well water high in minerals and salts taste can be affected. All municipally treated water is chlorinated, and this can also impact taste and create odors in the water. If you are on a private well or spring, you should have your water tested.

How does reverse osmosis work?

Reverse osmosis is a process that separates impurities from water by forcing it through filters under great pressure into a spiral tube called a reverse osmosis element. The membrane allows water to pass through the filter while rejecting suspended and dissolved impurities and most color and odor-causing compounds.

Is this the best type of drinking water filter for my water?

If the water to be filtered is municipally-treated city water low in minerals, then less expensive carbon block filtration systems may be sufficient. If the water is very high in minerals, then a reverse osmosis system that removes minerals, salts and chemicals may be desired. In many cases people generally prefer water treated by reverse osmosis, since it provides purified, "bottled-quality" water, instead of just merely removing chlorine tastes like many filters.

What is “hard” water?

When water is referred to as 'hard' this simply means that it contains more minerals than ordinary water. Calcium and magnesium are the most prevalent.  The more calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water the greater the degree of hardness the water will have.

Why won’t soap and other cleaners dissolve in hard water?

Magnesium and calcium are positively charged ions. Because of their presence, other positively charged ions will dissolve less easily in hard water than in water that does not contain calcium and magnesium.  This prevents soap and other compounds from easily dissolving in hard water.

Where can I learn more about the water quality in our area?

If you are on city water in the United States, Canada or other developed countries, and want to learn more about your water source or water chemistry, a good place to contact is your local water utility. In the United States, every water utility is required to publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report or CCR, which describes the sources of your water, the water chemistry, and any problems or violations related to your water. To see if your water system has put their CCR online, go to the EPA's "Local Drinking Water Information".

Do I need a water treatment system?

“Hard” water is not a health concern, so a decision to treat your water is a personal one based on how important the advantages of treated water are to you and your family.  Treating your water supply can extend the life of your water using appliances, and you will use less soap, shampoo and other cleaners with soft water therefore saving money over the long run.  Spending less time cleaning (soap scum and iron stains) and having your clothes, hair and skin cleaner and softer are all benefits of treated water.

Is “hard” water harmful to my health?

Hard water is generally not harmful to one's health; however over time hard water will cause damage to your pipes and water using appliances (icemakers, hot water heaters, coffee makers, etc.). Untreated hard water can also leave a soapy film on your clothing, hair and anything you clean. Water with high iron content can also leave stains on sinks, toilets and appliances that use water.

When should a custom system be considered over a standard unit?

In some cases space requirements may be a factor, in others, it may be your water conditioning requirements may require special media for filtering.  In most cases custom systems are needed to handle high volume water processing needs that standard units are not designed to handle.

What is a Demand Regeneration System?

These systems monitor actual usage and regenerate as needed instead of on a set schedule.  This usually uses less water and salt to clean the system and therefore saves money.  It also ensures that treated water is always available.

What is the advantage of a twin tank unit?

Twin-tank demand units normally are considered when water usage requirements will be high.  The additional tank allows for continuous soft water as one tank cleans itself, the other provides treated water. This allows the system to keep up with heavy demand.