Reverse Osmosis...why should I keep it? (San Antonio, Midland: apartments, house)

[Mom2Feebs]

thanks for your input everyone. :-)

[OpenD]

The key benefit of a reverse osmosis water filter is that it gives you very pure water, and eliminates any need for bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The key downside of a RO unit is that they typically bypass about 10X the amount of water they deliver, which can be seen as a big waste of water.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by davis449

Here in San Antonio, I wouldn't keep it. I worry less about the "impurities" in the water than I do the taste of it. A Brita snap on filter and my refrigerator's filter takes the chlorine taste out and that's enough for me. However, being from Midland originally, man, an RO system wasn't an option out there...it was a damn requirement.

Yeah, we've actually got very good water here in SA

[KM1174]

Originally Posted by DerpyDerp

The carbon filter in your fridge will remove sediment and things like chlorine, but a reverse osmosis unit takes it a step further and removes pretty much everything, leaving behind relatively pure water. It's fairly wasteful and requires expensive cartridges, but I use mine to provide water for brewing. I have to add minerals back to my brewing water, but I have a much more control over the amounts. San Antonio's extremely hard water is suited for brewing dark beers, but lighter styles require water chemistry adjustments.

id keep it. newer systems reclaim upwards of 80% of the water, so waste isnt that big of an issue anymore.

I only drink RO water. SA tap water is ****ing NASTY. its cloudy and there is too much sediment in it.

Originally Posted by OpenD

The key benefit of a reverse osmosis water filter is that it gives you very pure water, and eliminates any need for bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The key downside of a RO unit is that they typically bypass about 10X the amount of water they deliver, which can be seen as a big waste of water.

nope. not anymore. new systems can reclaim a ton of the waste. had this been 5+ years ago, id say ditch it, but advancements in filtration systems have been made and RO systems no longer waste as much as they used too.

google it.

[L210]

I think SA's tap water is nasty, but my PUR filter has been enough for me.

[Azure110]

I never thought San Antonio tap water is nasty. I prefer to drink bottled water but if I am out, I have no issue drinking a glass or two of tap water until I get to the store to buy more bottled water.

[Mom2Feebs]

Definitely never thought it was nasty. Pretty good, actually, after having water in Ennis. Ugh. That's nasty.

Our refrigerator filter is actually really good. The water tastes great. I wonder if I should have it tested just to check and see what's in it. Hm.

[KM1174]

Originally Posted by L210

I think SA's tap water is nasty, but my PUR filter has been enough for me.

nasty is a compliment. its downright filthy disgusting. tons of sediment in it, super cloudy. sometimes, the faucet poofs whisps of smoke right as the water comes out!

come the fark on SA, get with the program. this is why i only drink/cook with RO water.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by KM1174

nasty is a compliment. its downright filthy disgusting. tons of sediment in it, super cloudy. sometimes, the faucet poofs whisps of smoke right as the water comes out!

come the fark on SA, get with the program. this is why i only drink/cook with RO water.

Strange. Must happen only in certain areas. I don't ever remember getting cloudy water or "smoke" coming out of the faucet. While I don't always drink the tap water, I always use it for cooking.

Could be the pipes in your rental duplex?

[Paka]

Just remember, if you have a RO system, change the filters every 6 months to ensure you are getting "GREAT" water!

Having said that, I drank "Unfiltered water" from both the faucet and hose in the summer time and have never felt that SA water tasted strange...but DH LOVES the RO feature.....he is not from these parts, South Dakota born and raised.