Should You Get a Reverse Osmosis System in Regina?

Regina’s water originates from the Rocky Mountains and travels from Alberta to Saskatchewan. The average Regina resident uses about 300 liters a day, of which 60 percent is for personal hygiene and bathroom visits—the rest is for drinking and cooking. While our government documents our domestic supply strictly, we know the risks involved when consuming contaminated liquid, which can lead to weakened immune systems and other health problems. That is why some people choose to install a reverse osmosis system in Regina.

Canada is blessed with plentiful freshwater supplies and reliable services. Regina’s water service department ensures that our public supply has undergone necessary treatments before it’s distributed to us, whether it comes from reservoirs, tanks, or towers. However, some Regina homeowners are still wary of their tap water, especially when constantly reading about contamination leading to disease and ailments. Even though local authorities say that our water is safe to drink, many homeowners have chosen the reverse osmosis system in Regina as a supplemental filtering option.

Do you want some answers about reverse osmosis from a Regina plumber? We have all the details you need about filtration processes and softeners at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina. Whether you’re dealing with discomfort and irritation caused by hard water, or are looking for affordable filtration options, we’ll be happy to inspect your plumbing system and help you make the right choice for a safer and more comfortable lifestyle.

What Is a Reverse Osmosis System?

They are purification systems that use a method that relies on a semipermeable membrane—a two-sided barrier that allows molecules and ions to pass on one side while blocking the passage of contaminants on the other side. While that clean drinking water reaches you, the contaminants get flushed away down the drain.

The process is driven by the pressure that enables the unit to separate unwanted ions and particles. For example, when turning on the faucet, it’s the pressure that propels the water through the semipermeable membrane and activates the purification process.

What Are the Reverse Osmosis System Stages?

Reverse osmosis systems have four purification stages:

1. Sediment Filtration: This filter eliminates large particles right at the beginning before they move further into the unit
2. Carbon Pre-Filter: At this stage, filters remove traces of chlorine
3. Main Membrane: This membrane is responsible for purification or desalination. At this main stage, it removes any remaining contaminants.
4. Carbon Polish Filter: This is the final cleanse against impurities.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Chloride
• Sodium
• Chromium
• Lead.

It may also reduce the levels of fluoride, arsenic, radium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, radium, potassium, nitrate, and phosphorus.

Who Uses a Reverse Osmosis System in Regina?

They are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings, where home and business owners want the extra assurance that what they’re drinking has gone through a reliable purification process.

Regina Reverse Osmosis System: Pros

Earth is 70 percent water, of which only one percent is safe for drinking. Given that Canadian water is safer than many other countries, Regina residents usually choose to have reverse osmosis systems installed to stay on the safe side.

The reasons people in Regina choose reverse osmosis systems are backed by these points:

• High-quality filtration process
• Cleaner supply for drinking and cooking
• Removes major contaminants and impurities
• Removes unpleasant chlorine odors
• Reliable purification
• Cost-effective and energy-efficient
• High-end desalination technology

Regina Reverse Osmosis System - Cons

Reverse osmosis systems also have downsides. Perhaps not as many as it would take to stop households from using them, but it’s important to know both the pros and cons of getting a reverse osmosis system in Regina.

• Cannot remove organic chemicals like pesticides and solvents
• Cannot remove dissolved gases like radon and trihalomethanes
• Wastes a lot of liquid during the purification process (for each gallon produced, two to 20 gallons go to waste)
• Installation can be expensive
• RO membranes will decay over time and need to be replaced
• Hard minerals are tough on membranes, and you might need a softener for support
• Might not filter microorganisms
• Tank-based RO units need to be flushed and cleaned to avoid bacteria growth

Water Softener Vs. Reverse Osmosis

They both have different purposes. Softeners are designed to reduce hardness, whereas a reverse osmosis system is a filtration device that purifies water so it’s safe to consume.

Softened water is also safe to drink in many cases, but it’s important to keep in mind that softening as a treatment does not include any kind of filtration. In fact, it’s an ion exchange that replaces hard minerals with sodium or potassium. Even though it’s lower in minerals, it will have a high sodium content. Hard water coming through showers can negatively impact people with skin conditions, and softeners help eliminate those problems.

Pro Tip: Softeners can have a pre-filter that removes impurities like sediments or undissolved particles. They also remove chemicals like chlorine and hydrogen sulfide. There are two types of pre-filters: carbon and sediment.

If you have any questions regarding softeners and filtration, your local plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina have the answers.

Is A Reverse Osmosis System Worth It?

Statistics have shown that Canada uses twice as much water as, for instance, Europe. We are also on the top list as one of the biggest water consumers in the world. Understandably, we have endless beautiful rivers and lakes that allow us to harvest millions of cubic liters, but most of that is used to produce heat and energy rather than for consumption.

RO systems are widely used in Canada and have added extra benefits to households and businesses in Regina that seek extra security in the liquids they consume. When weighing out the pros and cons of getting an RO unit, you can still rest assured that Canadian water is some of the safest in the world, with some of the most reliable resources and waste management. A reverse osmosis system will simply add that extra security that you may want for your daily liquid consumption.

Are You Interested in a Reverse Osmosis System in Regina, SK?

The team of expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina can help! As your locally owned plumbing company, we proudly provide safe, hassle-free services to Regina residents.

If you need a convenient appointment or immediate assistance, call to speak with our friendly customer service representatives. We're here to help with everything from filtration services to routine Regina drain cleaning and water line repairs.