There is no debate about the fact that we need to purify water before consumption because most of the fresh water available today is contaminated. Irrespective of whether the contaminants are physical, chemical or biological, we cannot deny the fact that water is contaminated.
For the various types of contaminants present, we use different types of water purifiers.For instance, RO (Reverse Osmosis) purifiers are used for getting rid of dissolved inorganic salts in water. UV (Ultraviolet) purifier is good if the water coming to your home is high in biological contaminants. The UV rays render all the bacteria, virus and other microbes impotent.
Let’s explore the two purification methods: ionization and RO purification in detail and see which is better.
Ionization Method
Ionization is a physical-chemical process, which targets specific substances in water based on their ionic charges. By eliminating the specific inorganic compounds from the water, it helps in softening the hard water. For each magnesium or calcium ion present in water, two sodium ions are exchanged using the resin beads.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis is a physical process where a pressure is applied and the water is forced through a semipermeable membrane. As the RO membrane has very small pores, only water molecules can pass through it while the contaminant ions are left behind.
Now let’s see how these two technologies work on different contaminants.
On Microbial Contaminants
Using the ionization method, particles, bacteria or other microbes cannot be removed from the water. The RO purifier, on the other hand, can remove up to 99% of all the contaminants present in water. Apart from contaminants, it also takes care of bad odour, harmful gases etc.
Operating Costs
As the resin beads in ionization require replacement, the long-term operating costs of these purifiers are quite high. The RO purifier also requires the replacement of filters, but the RO membrane lasts for 2-3 years if the purifier is maintained properly. This results in much economical maintenance costs.
Effect on the Taste of Purified Water
The ionization technology leaves the desirable or innocuous minerals in solution, which leaves the water refreshing in taste. The RO water is completely demineralized, leaving flat tasting water. This problem can, however, be overcome by taking a RO purifier with TDS controller.
PH of Purified Water
In case TDS controller is not present, the RO water is strongly acidic, while the ionized water is alkaline in nature. It works as a powerful antioxidant and is like having freshly squeezed orange juice.
Though both the technologies are used for purifying water, it’s found that as ionization doesn’t work on physical and microbial contaminants, it does not provide completely safe water. In such a scenario, the RO purification system is the best bet. The only problem it might have is that of flat tasting water, which can be overcome by buying a purifier that also has a TDS controller. It is a trusted and proven technology available today and one must use it and enjoy access to safe and clean water.
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