We have all felt the convenience of bottled water at one time or another. But as a result, we are now feeling the crisis of plastic waste devastating our environment. This convenience has turned into a massive waste which is destroying our planet’s ecosystems. Plastic water bottles are overflowing landfills, polluting the streams, rivers and oceans, altering the environment in which we live. Over 60 million plastic bottles wind up in landfills or dumps across the country every single day, making an alarming 86% of all produced plastic bottles never recycled. One plastic water bottle takes 700 to 1,000 years to biologically degrade, earning it the status of true toxic waste.
This type of waste is rapidly growing as millions of health-conscious Americans are consuming more and more bottled water and enjoying its convenience. A recent article from The Northern Iowan states that every 27 hours, Americans consume enough bottled water to circle the globe, and in a week’s time the bottles will stretch more than halfway to the moon. While we encourage people to drink plenty of water, we also suggest that it be done the right way – with a water filter and reusable cup or bottle rather than plastic bottles. “Bottled water consumers justify their purchases by claiming that bottled water tastes better than water from the tap. In an effort to prove that tap is just as good, a series of blind taste tests were done at Stanford University in California. Participants tasted three different kinds of water: tap water, bottled water and filtered tap water. Filtered tap water was the most popular, with 50 percent of voters preferring it over the other choices.”
According to one environmental website, “investing in a home water-purification system and reusable water bottles are excellent alternative solutions to stop the plastic water bottle crisis. The amount of money and of Earth’s natural resources saved by using these eco-friendly alternatives makes it worth the effort. Many health-conscious families already own a drinking water system in their home. Our company’s products are eco-friendly; our reverse osmosis systems actually wastes up to 90% less water than traditional reverse osmosis systems and will still reduce harmful contaminants from the tap. It is convenient, great-tasting, easy, and cost-effective. What more could you ask for during our plastic water bottle crisis? To read more from this article, click here.
Are you looking for a drinking water system or water softener system in Southern California? We have many SoCal locations and can provide water softeners in Bakersfield all the way down to San Diego. Give us a call today!
We all know that drinking water is necessary for good health, but did you know that the time of day that you drink it affects how much benefit you get from the water? A recent infographic on the Life and Livingness blog shows some interesting facts that will have you reaching for a glass of water before your cup of coffee even.
Here’s the gist of it all:
Drinking water first thing in the morning, before breakfast particularly, helps cleanse the colon, making it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients you will later consume.
Drinking water helps increase the production of new blood cells and muscle tissue. When better than before your morning exercise?
Drinking water jump starts your daily weight loss. According to their statistics, 16 ounces of chilled water can boost your morning metabolism by 24%.
Drinking water purges toxins from the blood, helping give you glowing skin. That’s a little less time you can spend on your morning routine!
Water in the morning rebalances your lymph system, which helps with all your daily functions, balances your fluid levels, and fights infections.
We always knew a glass of great-tasting, healthy drinking water was a perfect way to start your day – glad that the medical sciences agree with us. To make sure that your water is all that it should be, use a home water filter to flush out the things that you don’t want to drink!
Water infrastructure is nothing like a fine wine; it does not get better with age. Among the current issues taking place in our country today, older water infrastructure is not at the top of the list – but maybe it should be. Safe drinking water is a precious commodity. It should not be taken for granted. But, with the state of the water systems compromising our drinking water and what it’ll take to fix (or even improve) it, we recommend a <a title="drinking water system" href="http://www.raynewatercp.com/residential/#dw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">drinking water system</a> such as our <a title="reverse osmosis" href="http://www.raynewatercp.com/residential/#dw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reverse osmosis</a> to keep your water safe until the issue rises to the top.
According to an online article from mercurynews.com,
each year, 850 billion gallons of wastewater enters the U.S. public drinking water supply because of aging or inadequate water systems. That’s equivalent to 13.6 trillion eight-ounce glasses. The EPA says U.S. water systems need $500 billion in maintenance and new capital investment by 2020.” Some of this water is contaminated and will make its way out of the tap. Programs such as the Aging Water Infrastructure research program promotes research and development for promising new technologies and techniques that increase the effectiveness and lower the cost of our wastewater collection systems.
CNN published news last year stating that there are an average of 700 water main breaks nationwide each year. They warn that this is the latest sign of an aging water delivery infrastructure that results in property loss, inconvenience, and threats to public health. “Anytime you’re breaking the seal of the system that brings water into your homes and apartments, you’re risking contamination from bacteria and viruses,” said Eric Goldstein of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Our reverse osmosis systems filter drinking water by effectively reducing harmful contaminants and turning tap water into convenient, fresh, clean water at your own separate faucet. The everyday water we drink should be pure and safe. You deserve to have faith in your drinking water. But, when aging water systems compromise drinking water and your faith in the infrastructure falters, we can reinstate your faith back to your tap water. The expenses are immense to fix these municipal systems. It may not be possible for our government to improve the infrastructure as completely or as promptly as we need. So without waiting for this to happen and potentially consuming harmful toxins and contaminants, look into one of our reverse osmosis drinking water filters so that you can feel good about the water you drink.
If you’re dealing with poor tasting, cloudy looking and funky smells, you’re probably looking for an easy solution to your water problem. When searching for the right water filtration system, you’re almost guaranteed to come across these two popular options: reverse osmosis unit and carbon filters.
The most common types of water filters, reverse osmosis and carbon filtering both offer a way to treat your drinking water but yield different results.
Does reverse osmosis remove minerals? The short answer is “yes.” And as for carbon filtration? Unfortunately, that’s a “no.”
However, there’s a lot more to understand when it comes to mineral filtration and reverse osmosis. In this guide, we’ll go deep into minerality, the fundamentals of filtration, and the way to determine the best drinking water systems for your situation.
The Fundamentals of Water Filtration
We’ve touched a little on water filters vs reverse osmosis, but it’s important to grasp the fundamentals of water filtration as well.
Before diving into these two methods in more detail, you need to understand some basic facts about water filters:
How Do Water Filters Function? – Filters use chemical, biological, or physical processes to remove harmful contaminants from water. Contaminants can include everything from microbes and bacteria to debris and dissolved minerals commonly found in groundwater.
What are POE and POU? – Point-of-entry (POE) refers to filtration systems attached at the point where the water enters your home or business from the municipal water source. Point-of-use (POU) refers to systems attached to faucets, showerheads, or water pitchers. POE and POU systems offer different advantages depending on your filtration needs.
These facts apply to both reverse osmosis and carbon filters.
Reverse Osmosis 101
A reverse osmosis filter is a great option if you want to filter out every possible contaminant in your water.
While reverse osmosis certainly sounds like a topic from biology class, it’s perfectly understandable when broken down into a few steps.
Reverse Osmosis or RO is a physical filtration process involving a semipermeable membrane typically made of cellulose acetate, polysulfone, and polyamide. The reverse osmosis membranes are solvent resistant, meaning they won’t be damaged or made less effective by water.
RO, in its simplest terms, works like this:
Unfiltered Water Enters The System – Whether it’s a POE or a POU system, the first step is getting the water source flowing through your RO system.
Water Passes Through The Semipermeable Membrane – Through the use of applied pressure, the source water is forced through the membrane. The molecules of the mineral contaminants are larger than the water molecules, meaning those larger molecules are left on the pressurized side of the membrane while purified water moves through it.
A Solute and a Solvent Remain – After adequate pressure has been applied, you’re left with a solute (a brine of wastewater and filtered contaminants) and a solvent (purified water).
In short, the reverse osmosis membrane acts like a bouncer at an exclusive club, water is the VIP, and contaminants are not on the guest list.
What Does Reverse Osmosis Remove?
The process of reverse osmosis has been popular for more than 50 years and was invented more than 100 years ago. Over the course of several decades, reverse osmosis technology has been refined to filter smaller and smaller ions—we’re talking filters with a pore size of .0001 microns.
In case you don’t know how small a micron is, the diameter of a single human hair is on average about 70 microns. So, .0001 microns is quite literally microscopic.
That means a reverse osmosis system can filter out minerals, dissolved solids, and much, much more.
A modern Reverse Osmosis filter is capable of filtering out:
Protozoa
Heavy metals
Microorganisms including viruses and bacteria
Fluoride
Some hydrocarbons
Most importantly, for this guide, RO filtration is the best way to make sure your water is mineral-free. In a 2009 study, it was shown that “Reverse Osmosis (RO) removed more than 90-99.99% of all the contaminants including minerals from the drinking water supply.”1
Minerals just can’t make it past the membrane.
What About Carbon Filtering?
As we mentioned earlier, you most likely stumbled across carbon filtering when researching water filtration options. You may even already own a water pitcher with a charcoal filter, or have one attached to your sink. You might be asking, is this capable of removing minerals as well?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
What you’re looking at is a carbon filter, one of the most common types of water purification and filtration systems for residential use, and likely the method you’re most familiar with. After all, carbon POU filters are affordable and can certainly improve taste.
Despite its commonality, carbon filtering is not always ideal, though it’s important to know why.
Carbon filtering involves the use of Granular Activated Carbon or GAC. GAC is made from oxygenating carbon to create a highly porous, black material with a large surface area. Water passes through the carbon particles, which filter out impurities and contaminants.2
Activated carbon filters out:
Chloramine
Tannins
Chlorine and chlorine byproducts
Hydrogen Sulfide
Most Pesticides and Herbicides
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
What Carbon Filters Leave Behind
Because some water may remain in the filter, GAC filters require cleaning and replacement. If left unattended, the stagnant water has the potential to grow bacteria which is not only a little gross but a potential health risk.
It’s also important to be aware of what activated carbon doesn’t filter, including:
Minerals
Nitrates and Nitrites
Large amounts of heavy metals
Microorganisms including viruses and bacteria
Fluoride
Some hydrocarbons
GAC is highly effective for some materials, but smaller molecules can pass through it. While carbon filtering is a sensible choice for some filtration needs, it ultimately isn’t the best option if you’re looking to remove minerals from your drinking water.
Hard Water, Simple Science
The facts are simple: if you want to remove minerals, only an RO water filter will do.
So, is minerality really the source of your water woes? To make a decision, you’ll need to understand water hardness.
Determining the hardness of water might sound like figuring out the wetness of sand, but don’t fret, hard water simply refers to water with a high concentration of minerals in it.
The most common mineral contaminants in drinking water are Calcium and Magnesium. Typically, these are found in groundwater that has percolated through layers of chalk, gypsum, or limestone.
The water is a solvent (meaning it dissolves substances) and leeches out relatively small particles of minerals from the larger deposits, effectively becoming contaminated.
Water hardness is determined by a ratio of milligrams of calcium carbonate to liters of H20.3
0-60 mg/L is considered soft
61-120 mg/L is considered moderately hard
120-180 mg/L is considered hard
Above 181 mg/L is considered very hard
If you’re staring at a glass of tap water trying to determine the level of hardness, you might have a hard time figuring it out. The mineral content of your drinking water is typically invisible to the naked eye, though sometimes you can see a slight discoloration.
There are a few ways to test water hardness, but most often it’s easily detectable by taste, touch, or smell.
The Problem With Minerals
It’s important to note that mineral contaminants in your drinking water do not pose a serious health threat.
That said, they often do:
Create an Unpleasant Drinking Experience – Most people want a glass of water to be thirst-quenching, refreshing, and essentially tasteless. When drinking hard water, you’re likely to taste the mineral impurities, resulting in a bitter or even salty flavor. In addition, the smell from hard water is often compared to rotten eggs making for a less than ideal glass.
Leave Stains or Deposits – Limescale build-ups from hard water are fairly common. The mineral content of the water leaves a residue on sinks, floors, and just about anything else that might get wet. It can also pose a problem for laundry, leaving stains on clothes or requiring more detergent for a proper wash.
Cause Dryness and Irritation – Mineral contaminants can affect the pH balance of your tissues, leading to dry skin, brittle hair, and dandruff. If you have sensitive skin or an already dry scalp, hard water can be a major discomfort.
If these issues sound familiar, an reverse osmosis system is the best option to safeguard your water.
From Hard to Easy
If you’re tired of funny tastes, spotted silverware, and stains on your clothes and fixtures, it’s time to consider a water softener or a reverse osmosis water filtration system. Experts agree you should be drinking 2-4 liters per day, so why settle for less than excellent?4
There are certainly a lot of benefits to reverse osmosis at a personal and a commercial level, and with the right system, you could be pumping gallons of clean, great-tasting water in no time.
Rayne Water: The Bouncers For Your Personal Water Supply
Now that you know a little about Reverse Osmosis process and its mineral filtration abilities, it’s time to put a plan into action, get your feet wet, and dive right in. A reverse osmosis water system provides better water quality, free of harmful contaminants and minerals.
If you’re looking for a smart solution to your water filtration issues look no further than Rayne Water. We’ve been providing water systems to individuals and businesses for over 90 years, and can match you with your perfect system to keep unwanted particles out of your home for good.
Contact Rayne Water today to schedule a water test. We’re here to help provide the purest water for every situation. Check out our products and services, learn more about RO filtration, and remember to stay hydrated!
Sources:
International Water Association. Reverse osmosis and the removal of minerals from drinking water.
*Reviewed by Ken Christopher, Senior Vice President at Rayne Dealership Corporation
When it comes to water quality, taste and hardness may immediately come to mind as potential issues. But it’s also important to consider the safety of your home water supply.
Whether you’re already aware of high lead levels or you’re just starting to investigate water filtration options and drinking water systems, you’ve probably heard something about reverse osmosis.
Reverse osmosis is a water purification method in which water is forced through the semipermeable membrane. Tiny pores in the RO membrane allow water to pass through, separating it from potentially harmful contaminants.
You might be wondering “does reverse osmosis remove minerals” and “does reverse osmosis remove lead from water?” In short, yes it does. But how does it work? Continue reading to learn about the dangers of lead poisoning and how reverse osmosis can guarantee safe hydration.
The Dangers of Lead Poisoning
Lead is a heavy metal found in the earth’s crust. Although lead’s toxicity is now widely recognized, for some time lead was considered a “miracle metal”.1
That means that lead exposure can be difficult to avoid.
Lead is highly adaptable and has been used throughout the world since Ancient Rome, where lead was used to line aqueducts.
After the start of the industrial revolution, the lead industry named lead the “useful metal” because it could be used in most any commercial product.
Lead and lead compounds have been used in a significant number of household products including paints, pipes, furniture, and even cosmetics.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
In children, lead exposure can cause:
Learning problems
Hyperactivity
Lowered IQ
Slowed growth
Lead affects adults somewhat differently. In adults, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular effects, hypertension, and reproductive problems.2
With serious effects like these, no one should risk having lead contaminate their drinking water.
When Should I Be Concerned About Lead Exposure?
Regulation around lead exposure has come a long way.
If you’re worried about lead in your water, know that the EPA has established the maximum contaminant level for lead which is zero.
After the Safe Drinking Water Act passed in 2011, water sources and purification processes have been tested often and with scrutiny.
But while your local water supply may be lead-free, that doesn’t mean the water that flows from your taps would test negative as well.
Assessing Your Home
The most common way for lead to enter drinking water is through the corrosion of lead pipes and fixtures. Although human skin does not absorb lead in water, when lead is consumed, it bioaccumulates over time.
Lead is more commonly found in older homes. If your home is 30 years old or older, it may be helpful to look into its history and the building materials used throughout its life.
Do you believe your home may have lead pipes? Luckily, there are a few ways to tell whether or not you are at risk.
If your home was built before 1986, it is likely to have lead pipes and fixtures.3
Alternatively, if your home was built after 2000, your pipes are probably made of copper, PVC, or ABS.4
Fortunately, modern water filtration methods including reverse osmosis are extremely effective at ensuring safe drinking water.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Lead?
Reverse osmosis separates two liquids across a membrane. On one side of the reverse osmosismembrane, you have contaminated water, which is purified as it is pushed through to the other side.
It may be helpful to think of a coffee filter. When you make coffee with a filter, only the liquid coffee passes through. The ground beans, meanwhile, are left behind.
Because reverse osmosis removes contaminants and impurities from the water so effectively, it’s become an increasingly popular water purification method.
Beyond lead, reverse osmosis filtration can also remove:
Fluoride
Arsenic
Mercury
Iron
The reverse osmosis systems or RO system usually have a pore size of 0.0001 micron. This means that it is highly effective at removing bacteria and viruses from your drinking water.5
Most in-home reverse osmosis systems have a pre and post water filter.
The pre-filter prevents any sediment in the water from passing through the membrane The post reverse osmosis water filter captures harder-to-trap particles like chlorine
Note that a reverse osmosis system, though efficient, will lose a small amount of water each time contaminants are separated and flushed out. This “flushing out” ensures that dangerous contaminants such as lead are not left in the water after it has been processed.
Prevent Lead Contamination with a Rayne Water System
At Rayne Water, our goal is to bring clean water to your home. Whether your concern is lead, minerals, or bacteria, our reverse osmosis systems can guarantee clean, drinkable water.
We have top-of-the-line residential and commercial reverse osmosis systems available. Our Rayne Clear system is a standard reverse osmosis filtration system, the Rayne Pure Plus is a four-stage reverse osmosis system, and the Rayne Eradicator is the best and most efficient reverse osmosis system we’ve found. Which is right for you? Get in touch today to find out.
If you have any concerns about the drinkability of your water, we would love to be your solution.
Even on base, the quality of your <a title="drinking water Camp Pendleton" href="http://www.raynewatercp.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">drinking water</a> may not be optimal. In the <a title="Camp Pendleton water" href="http://www.raynewatercp.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Camp Pendleton</a> area, we deal with both hard water and drinking water contamination. Just because you live on base doesn’t mean that you should have limited access to home <a title="drinking water systems Camp Pendleton" href="http://www.raynewatercp.com/residential/#dw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">drinking water systems</a>. Our services are extended to on-base housing and we provide the same services and products to those living on base no matter what your water needs are.
If contamination is a concern, we offer our drinking water systems where reverse osmosis will effectively reduce harmful contaminants turning tap water into convenient, fresh, clean water at your own separate faucet. Many pollutants are put into the ground and into lakes, rivers and streams every day. The disposal of wastes into ground and surface waters can cause contamination of water that we use for drinking and that we expect to be of excellent quality. It takes many years and it is very costly to remove contamination affecting water supplies. While The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary responsibility for ensuring the activities required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, our reverse osmosis can also be a helpful line of defense for your family. According to one news agency, millions of Americans could be drinking water with dangerous chemicals and pollutants. Public water supplies in 42 U.S. states are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never established safety standards, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). If your base housing water is contaminated, we can come to you to find the perfect product to turn tap water into safe drinking water.
Water that is high in dissolved minerals can cause a range of problems such as soap scum in sinks and bathtubs, bathtub rings, spots on dishes or shower doors, reduced foaming and cleaning abilities of soaps and detergents, dingy and yellowed clothes with soapy residues that require extra rinsing to remove, clogged pipes from buildup of minerals, increased water heating costs from buildup of minerals, reducing efficiency of water heaters, and possible skin infections from bacteria trapped in pores underneath soap scum. Our soft water exchange tank service is the environmentally superior way to soften your hard water. With this system, a Rayne technician will deliver a fresh tank to your home and exchange it every week, every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks depending on the number of people in your home. They will return the “old” tank back to the plant to “regenerate” it for the next trip. Contact us today to find out how we can turn the water on your base to softened water.
water filter for your household may be the answer to your indoor air contamination. It is estimated that nearly two thirds of the typical person’s chlorine exposure is from chlorinated shower water.
As your local water treatment company, it may seem odd that we would focus on your indoor air. But when water from the steam and evaporation from your shower could have serious consequences, we know our products are here to help. Some people have allergic reactions to the chemicals found in unfiltered water. Chlorine, a chemical commonly found in city water – and therefore your shower water, can trigger allergic reactions for certain people. Exposure to high levels of chlorine has been linked to many serious conditions, but for some the allergies themselves are serious enough. Furthermore, most people tend to take hot showers. This water is usually hot enough to create steam. When your shower water is steaming, you are creating chlorine gas. That chlorine gas represents a troublesome form of shower water contamination.
Shower water contamination in the form of chlorine gas, according to experts, can be harmful. Research shows that it has been the cause of health problems such as allergies, asthma, and in some cases even cancer. When we are showering in hot water, we are naturally breathing in the steam through our noses and our mouths. As good as the hot water may feel on our body, it could be doing harm in our body. Filtering your shower water will drastically lower your exposure to chlorine shower water contamination. Our water purifiers and water conditioners work efficiently to remove harmful contaminants to keep you safer. So this month, when you care about your indoor air, make sure you contact us and also care about your water.
Is fluoride in water bad for you? Short answer: no. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Fluoride has been regularly added to America’s public water systemsupplies to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities since 1945.
According to the CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the addition of this mineral to drinking water has been found to reduce the risk of tooth decay by up to 25% for both children and adults.
If you have ever wondered, is fluoride in water bad for you, or does reverse osmosis remove fluoride in the water?This guide has all the answers you’ll need.We’ll outline what exactly this mineral is and explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of fluoride, how you can measure the amount of fluoride in your water, and how you can regulate your fluoride intake with home water filters or water softeners.
What is Fluoride?
It is a mineral that can naturally be found in your teeth and bones. It’s also found in water, soil, plants, rocks, and even air. When we talk about the human consumption of fluoride, it is generally in regard to oral health. Dentists like fluoride because it strengthens the enamel of teeth, thus preventing the risk of forming cavities.
Outside of the dentist’s office, this mineral can also be used:
In medical imaging scans
As a cleaning agent
In pesticides
In the formation of Teflon, steel, and aluminum products
Where Does Fluoride Come From
Fluoride is a mineral that’s naturally present in the earth. Primaryfluoride sources include:
Groundwater –Groundwater naturally contains this mineral, with the amount varying depending on the area.
Drinking water – In the U.S., public drinking water generally contains .7 parts per million of fluoride. Though large countries like the U.S. and U.K. add fluoride to their drinking water, many countries choose to abstain from community water fluoridation.
Supplements –Because fluoride is an integral part of a healthy diet, afluoride supplement isavailable as a drop or tablet. These additional mineral sources are generally recommended for children over six months who have a higher risk ofdeveloping cavities in non-fluoridated areas.
Food – Food may contain fluoride if they are processed with fluoridated water or if they absorb this mineral naturally from the soil. Tea leaves, brewed coffee, raisins, rice, oatmeal, and canned shrimp are just some examples of food that may contain low levels of fluoride.
Dental care products – Becausefluoride is most often used to improve oral health, it makes sense that many dental products, like fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridemouthwash, contain this mineral.
The Benefits of Fluoride in Water
The primary benefit of fluoride is that it strengthens tooth enamel. This may seem like a minor detail, but in reality, maintaining healthy teeth and oral health is an important way to also maintain a healthy body. Here’s why:
Tooth enamel protects the inner layers of your tooth from acids, bacteria, and plaque, all of which can lead to more serious severeillnesses. The reason has to do with the tooth itself. The inner layers of the tooth offer a direct path to the skeletal structures of your jaw and skull, circulatory system, and nervous system. The stronger the enamel, the more these parts of your body are protected.
Let’s look at how fluoride keeps your gnashers strong, plus other benefits of adding fluoride to water:
Child dental health development – As children grow their chompers, it’s important that those little teeth are as tough as possible. Because fluoride is an essential part of teeth development, fluoride in drinking water systems can ensure children have strong teeth that are resistant to attacks from dental decay, acid, or bacteria which can lead to cavities and other issues.
Healthy teeth –Cavities are caused by bacteria taking up residence in your mouth. This bacteria will produce organic acids that damage your once-strong tooth enamel, allowing cavities to form.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, can help prevent the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel and can also accelerate the repair process of putting minerals back into damaged enamel. Fluoride can also reduce acid production in your mouth, helping to prevent the formation of cavities in the first place.
Cost-effective– As stated by the American Dental Association, “The average lifetime cost per person to fluoridate a water supply is less than the cost of one dental filling.” To put it simply, for every $1 a city spends on water fluoridation, an average of $38 can be saved in dental treatment costs.
Naturally occurring – As we’ve noted, fluoride is a natural mineral that is found within our bodies, as well as groundwater, air, and plants. Adjusting fluoride levels is far different from adding an unnatural chemical to drinking water supplies.
Proven to be safe – For more than seven decades, fluoride has been added to American public drinking water to help prevent cavities. This decision was and is based on concrete scientific evidence endorsed by the CDC, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and other health entities.
The Drawbacks of Fluoride in Water
Adding fluoride to water has proven effective when it comes to cavity reduction. But can too much fluoride ultimately cause your body harm?
An excess intake of fluoride can cause:
Dental fluorosis – Dental fluorosis alters the appearance of your teeth. This alteration presents, most commonly, as white spots on your teeth or brown spots and weakened teeth (less common).
This condition typically occurs during the formation of childhood teeth when children consume too much fluoride from multiple sources. This may look like a childingesting fluoridetoothpaste in large quantities, or consuming too much fluoride via fluoride supplements,plus drinking fluoridated water.
Skeletal fluorosis – Thisis a bone disease that only happens when people are subjectedto large quantities of fluoride exposure for long periods of time.
This disease is most commonly found in countries like India and China, where there are longer periods of groundwater consumptionwith high levels of naturally occurring fluoride.
So should you be worried about an excess of fluoride in your tap water? Not necessarily. Some places have high levels of fluoride, which can cause health problems, as mentioned above, but typically the amount of fluoride found in groundwater is between a safe 0.01 to 0.3 parts per million. When groundwater approaches 4 parts fluoride per mission, it becomes hazardous.
Translation? There would have to be 400 times more fluoride parts per million than the typical groundwater contains. In fact, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, the fluoride concentration in most potablewater wells sampled in the county were “below the optimal concentration recommended to prevent tooth decay.”
High amounts of fluoride in your drinking water is extremely unlikely. According to the study mentioned above, you’re more likely not to be getting enough fluoride than you are to be getting too much.
How Much Fluoride is In Your Drinking Water?
Just because fluoridating water is a common practice in the U.S. doesn’t mean the city you live in currently adds this mineral to its public drinking supplies.
To see whether or not your city fluoridates its water, head to the CDC website where there is a tool that allows you to see if your city adds fluoride to water and if so, how much. From there, you can gauge if your drinking water is providing enough fluoride for your health or if you need to increase your intake of this vital mineral.
Get the Right Amount of Fluoride with Water Filters
So, is fluoride in water bad for you? The short answer: when consumed in safe amounts, fluoride can be highly beneficial to your overall oral health.
The suggested fluoride intake for adults over the age of 18 is a max of 3 milligrams of the mineral per day. Most public water systems in the U.S. contain .7 parts per million of fluoride. However, your county may not be introducing enough fluoride into the drinking water to ensure maximum health benefits for you, your family, and your whole community. In cases like these, it’s always best to take control of your health. Consider investing in a home water filtration system.
Home water filtration systems can:
Improve the taste of water
Help increase vital mineral content
Reduces mineral deposits
Remove the presence of skin-irritating substances from your water
Help maintain the longevity of your plumbing system by removing substances that make water “hard” and can damage pipes in the long run
Trust Rayne Water to Improve Your Water Systems
Consider investing in a home water filtration system to control how much fluoride is in your drinking water.. Rayne Water Conditioning services are based in Arizona, California, and Nevada and can help you install reverse osmosis systems that will help clear your water of excess fluoride, as well as any contaminants.
Interested in learning more about keeping your water safe and clean for your family? Our trained experts can help you find the perfect solution for your home water systems, like a reverse osmosis water filter system, so that you can enjoy better water quality every day. Check out our services and products today!
Fluoride is commonly added to municipal water supplies to support dental health. But not everyone agrees on how much is needed or whether it should be there at all. This is why most people turn to solutions like reverse osmosis.
If you’re wondering,
does reverse osmosis remove fluoride? The short answer is yes.
Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective at filtering out fluoride along with other unwanted minerals and contaminants. In this guide, we’ll explain how RO systems work, what to know about fluoride in your water, and how to take control of what comes out of your tap.
What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Added to Water?
Naturally Occurring Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral found in our bones and teeth. It also exists in air, soil, rocks, plants, freshwater, seawater, and a wide variety of foods. This mineral is woven into the environment and our daily lives.
In the United States, well water and groundwater often contain naturally occurring fluoride.
The amount depends on local geology. For anyone with a private well, fluoride levels can be higher or lower than in city water, which is why regular water testing at home matters.
Fluoride can also be added to drinking water, supplements, and dental products. Paying attention to both natural and added sources helps people make more informed choices about their water and health.
Why Cities Add Fluoride to Tap Water
Cities add fluoride to tap water because it supports strong teeth and healthier communities.
When public water systems include fluoride, rates of tooth decay drop, leading to fewer dental procedures and better long-term health for everyone.
The connection between fluoride and dental health has roots in research dating back to the 1800s. By 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its water supply. Other towns quickly followed, recognizing the benefits.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recognizes community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to lower the risk of tooth decay. This approach helps people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy better oral health, no matter their income or where they live.
Public water fluoridation helps close health gaps between communities by providing everyone with the same basic protection every time they turn on the tap.
For those who want more control over their fluoride intake, modern home filtration options like reverse osmosis give families the flexibility to adjust their own water. Even as these systems become more popular, fluoridation remains one of the most cost-effective public health strategies in the country.
Health Impacts of Fluoride
Benefits at the Right Level
So, is fluoride bad for you? Fluoride has been added to the country’s public drinking water for decades, primarily because it has proven to be a safe, cost-effective way to prevent dental cavities and improve dental health.
Fluoride helps to repair tooth enamel damaged by bacteria and can also help reduce the acid in your mouth, thus preventing cavities from forming.
Fluoride is added to public water supplies to support better oral health. It helps strengthen tooth enamel and can reduce the risk of cavities, especially in communities with limited access to dental care. While its primary benefit is dental, it’s also seen as a simple, cost-effective way to improve public health over time.
When added at the right level, fluoride offers the most benefit. The CDC recommends a concentration of 0.7 parts per million in public water supplies, enough to repair enamel and lower oral bacteria, but not so much that it leads to unwanted side effects.
Over time, communities with water fluoridation see fewer cavities, lower dental costs, and healthier smiles for everyone.
Risks of Excessive Fluoride
There are critics of fluoridating public drinking water systems who say this is an individual decision that should not be controlled by the city in which you reside. On one hand, too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis; which is a kind of tooth damage, or skeletal fluorosis: a weakening of the bones. These risks become more pronounced at higher concentrations.
At this level, both children and adults face a much higher chance of developing dental or skeletal fluorosis. Infants, young children, and those with kidney problems are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies may have a harder time processing excess fluoride.
Because of these risks, some households look for solutions that can manage or eliminate fluoride from tap water.
An RO filter can remove impurities, contaminants, and unwanted dissolved solids from your unfiltered water. One method of removing contaminants within freshwater by putting the water under pressure and pushing it through a special filter is called Reverse Osmosis.
Mineral contaminants cannot go through the filter, allowing fresh water to leave behind extra substances you don’t want in your drinking water.
This is essentially what happens when you install a Reverse Osmosis filter.
The RO filter’s semi-permeable membrane thoroughly filters out contaminants and dissolved minerals like lead, arsenic, iron, mercury, sodium, and, you guessed it, fluoride. So how does reverse osmosis actually work?
In nature, osmosis is the process where water moves from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration across a membrane, aiming for balance.
Reverse osmosis flips that script: water is forced in the opposite direction, from a high concentration of dissolved solids to low, using household water pressure. This pressure pushes water molecules through a semipermeable membrane, leaving behind contaminants, including fluoride and many others.
RO systems are remarkably efficient at removing fluoride, typically reducing fluoride levels by 85 to 95 percent. As a result, families can count on reverse osmosis not only for clean-tasting water, but for real reduction of potentially unwanted dissolved minerals.
What Else Does RO Remove?
Reverse osmosis systems do a lot more than remove fluoride. When water passes through the semipermeable membrane, it leaves behind a wide range of contaminants.
You get serious protection from heavy metals like lead and arsenic; two toxins nobody wants in their glass. PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” are also filtered out, along with nitrates that can sneak into water from fertilizers or runoff.
But the process doesn’t end there. Most RO systems come with additional filtration stages for even better results.
Pre-filters capture sediment and larger particles before they reach the membrane.
Post-carbon filters polish the water, removing any lingering chlorine, bad tastes, or odors. With all these stages, reverse osmosis delivers water that’s clean, crisp, and ready for your family’s table.
Reverse Osmosis System Types
Point-of-Use (POU) vs. Whole-House RO
When it comes to reverse osmosis, families have a choice: focus on a single tap or cover the whole house.
Many start with a point-of-use system, placing it under the kitchen sink or on the countertop. The result is instant access to clean, filtered water for drinking, cooking, and even coffee. You taste the difference with every glass, and maintenance stays simple and affordable.
For households that want full coverage, whole-house reverse osmosis steps up the game.
Instead of filtering water at just one spot, these systems treat every drop that flows into the home. The water used for showers, laundry, and even the garden is all purified. It’s a big upgrade and a bigger commitment. Installation takes more time and budget, and most homes don’t need that level of filtration.
However, in places where water quality is a constant concern, whole-house RO can offer peace of mind that goes beyond the kitchen. Every faucet delivers water you can trust, turning a daily necessity into a consistent comfort throughout the home.
Rayne’s RO System
Rayne Water takes the guesswork out of choosing the right reverse osmosis filter.
Clear System:
Entry-level, budget-friendly solution
Provides reliable, everyday filtration
Great for families who want dependable drinking water with minimal fuss
Pure Plus:
Upgrades your filtration with a four-stage process
Removes a wider range of impurities
Delivers crisp, great-tasting water for cooking and beverages
Eradicator:
High-efficiency, comprehensive filtration
Handles the toughest water challenges
Maximum contaminant removal for serious peace of mind
All Systems:
Designed for long-term performance
Easy to use and maintain
Supported by Rayne Water’s expert service and reputation for quality
Is Fluoride Safe to Consume?
CDC and ADA Recommendations
Fluoridating public water supplies has strong support from the nation’s top health experts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls community water fluoridation one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century.
The American Dental Association also supports this practice. For years, both organizations have pointed to clear evidence: adding fluoride reduces cavities and leads to healthier teeth for people of all ages.
Decades of research confirm their stance. Fluoride in the right amount helps protect teeth and cuts dental bills for families.
The CDC and ADA agree. Water fluoridation is safe and cost-effective. It improves the quality of life for entire communities, making every sip of tap water a little better for your smile.
Common Concerns Among Consumers
Strong endorsements by health organizations have not eliminated all concerns about fluoride in drinking water.
Many people want more control over what they drink each day. Some believe public water fluoridation should be a choice. The conversation continues in cities across the country as communities balance health benefits with personal freedom.
Every household has unique needs. This shift is leading more families to explore home filtration. Reverse osmosis systems appeal to those who want to decide exactly what goes into their water.
People act for many reasons. Some care about taste. Others focus on specific health goals or simply value the right to choose. The movement toward individualized solutions grows as families look for water quality that matches their own standards.
Why You Might Want to Remove Fluoride
Medical or Personal Reasons
People have many valid reasons for wanting to lower or remove fluoride at home.
Some are concerned about long-term exposure, while others prefer to have full control over what’s in their drinking water.
Parents with infants often take extra precautions, especially when preparing bottles of formula. Young children are more sensitive to high levels of fluoride, so families try to limit exposure in those early years.
For some, wellness is about keeping things simple. They look for water without additives or unnecessary chemicals, aiming for a pure experience with every glass.
Reverse osmosis systems put control in your hands. You can filter out what does not fit your needs or values. Each glass of water reflects a choice you made for your health and peace of mind.
When medical needs or personal beliefs shape daily decisions, having the ability to choose what goes into your water offers reassurance and confidence every day.
Taste, Preference, and Peace of Mind
Taste matters. Even subtle flavors in tap water can affect how refreshing it feels. A clean, crisp taste often makes drinking water more enjoyable and encourages better hydration.
When fluoride and other additives are removed with a reverse osmosis system, the water often takes on a fresher, lighter quality that many enjoy.
Knowing exactly what comes out of your tap brings real comfort. No need to wonder about hidden chemicals or lingering additives. Every glass reflects your personal preferences and standards.
For families who value clarity in their water, filtration is an easy choice. It means confidence with every pour and a sense of control that fits daily life. Each sip feels simple and honest, just the way you want it.
Alternatives to Reverse Osmosis for Fluoride Removal
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina filters are another answer for those who want to remove fluoride from their water. These filters use a porous, highly absorbent form of aluminum oxide. As water passes through, the activated alumina grabs onto fluoride ions, reducing their presence.
It’s an efficient approach and works especially well in homes with moderately high fluoride levels.
But there’s a tradeoff: these filters need frequent replacement to keep performing at their best. If you’re looking for a solution you can set and forget, activated alumina might not be the easiest fit.
Still, it’s a solid contender for those who want a salt-free, compact alternative to reverse osmosis, especially for countertop or under-sink use.
Distillation Units
Distillation is one of the oldest ways to purify water, and it’s very effective at removing fluoride.
The process heats water until it becomes steam, leaving minerals, fluoride, and other contaminants behind. The steam cools, condenses, and collects as pure water in a separate chamber.
You get clean water with virtually no dissolved solids.
The downside? Distillation is slow. It’s also energy-intensive, making it less practical for families who need a lot of water each day. While these units are popular in laboratories and some off-grid homes, they rarely make sense for everyday kitchen use.
But for those who value purity above all else, distillation still holds a place.
Bone Char Carbon Filters
For anyone seeking a natural approach, bone char carbon filters provide an alternative way to remove fluoride. Made from charred animal bones, these filters have a unique structure that traps fluoride and some heavy metals.
They’re safe, effective, and add minimal chemicals back into the water.
However, bone char filters aren’t as common as other options. You may need to look harder to find the right unit or replacement cartridges. Maintenance is straightforward (swap the filters on schedule) but supply can be an issue.
Still, bone char is trusted by many for its long history of use and solid results, especially for those who prefer a natural filtration solution.
Install a Rayne Water Reverse Osmosis System Today
If you want to remove fluoride in your tap water completely, installing a home reverse osmosis system can make controlling your fluoride intake possible. With this system in place, you gain peace of mind knowing your water is free of unwanted minerals, impurities, and dissolved solids.
Rayne Water’s reverse osmosis system is designed for families who want confidence in every glass. It is a choice that supports your health and fits your standards. Start fresh with water that matches your lifestyle. Clean, clear, and truly yours.
Choose Rayne Water for Your Filtration Needs
Rayne Water offers a range of residential reverse osmosis systems to fit your lifestyle. You can keep it simple with the Clear system, add extra protection with the Pure Plus, or go for the Eradicator when you want the highest level of filtration.
If you care about what goes into every glass, choosing reverse osmosis gives you real control. Each system helps deliver water that tastes better and supports your well-being.
No matter your budget or your home’s unique needs, you’ll find a solution with us. Our team can help you choose the right system for your family, so you can drink with confidence every day.
Ready to make a change? Reach out to your local Rayne Water office. We’re here to help you enjoy clean, refreshing water at home.
FAQs
Does reverse osmosis remove fluoride from drinking water?
So, does reverse osmosis remove fluoride? Yes, reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing fluoride. The process can reduce fluoride levels by 85 to 95%, thanks to the semi-permeable membrane that blocks most dissolved minerals: including fluoride. If you want to take control of your fluoride intake, installing a reverse osmosis system is a reliable solution.
Does a reverse osmosis system remove fluoride as well as other contaminants?
Absolutely. A reverse osmosis system doesn’t just tackle fluoride: it also filters out other unwanted substances like lead, arsenic, nitrates, PFAS, sodium, and chlorine. The multi-stage process ensures your drinking water is clean, crisp, and safe for your family.
Do RO house systems filter out fluoride for the entire home?
Do RO house systems filter out fluoride? Whole-house RO systems can filter out fluoride and other contaminants from every tap, shower, and appliance in your home. However, these systems are more complex and expensive than point-of-use (under-sink) units, so they’re typically chosen for homes with severe water quality concerns or when comprehensive filtration is needed.
Is it safe to drink water that’s had all the fluoride removed by reverse osmosis?
Yes, it’s safe to drink water that’s been purified by reverse osmosis. Some people prefer to remove fluoride for health or personal reasons. If you wish to maintain some fluoride for dental benefits, you can supplement with dental products or discuss your needs with your dentist.
How often should I replace the filters in my reverse osmosis system to keep fluoride levels low?
For best performance, replace pre-filters every 6 to 12 months and the RO membrane every 2 to 3 years, depending on your water usage and quality. Following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule ensures your system continues to effectively remove fluoride and other contaminants.
Our company has one very important purpose in mind – maintaining the quality and safety of your drinking water. That is why we have earned a Gold Seal from the Water Quality Association for our high industry standards. According to their website, “the Water Quality Association’s Gold Seal Certification Program is dedicated to providing public health and safety services throughout the USA and globally, while maintaining expert service, superior reputation, and fair pricing.” Through affordable, eco-friendly, and effective products, we are able to sustain the integrity of your tap water by removing harmful contaminants at any household demand.
85% of the US population gets their drinking water from public water systems. When these systems are compromised, so is your drinking water. As one community in Virginia Beach has found, decisions and circumstances can impact drinking water sources in unheard of ways. Leaving your drinking water decisions in the hands of policymakers and corporations can also be dangerous. According to a recent article from wavy.com, uranium mining could impact public drinking water. Although the decision to mine the largest undeveloped uranium deposit in the nation could bring a major economic boom to the local economy in times where jobs are scarce, will it be worth the risks and threats to their drinking water in the long run?
Residents and officials are concerned that in the process of mining uranium, by-products could flow downstream and into local homes. Radioactive by-products, that is. The Virginia Beach mayor states that “I don’t think we want our citizen’s drinking water that has radioactivity in it.” But what will win out? The quality of drinking water or economic benefits that could fuel the Commonwealth for 75 years? The uranium is concentrated underneath one Virginia man’s farmland and it’s worth billions of dollars. What is a resident to do? Well, the best decision that those residents could make, as well as any other homeowners across the nation who find themselves asking this very question, is to consider a drinking water system such as a water filter or water cooler. Our drinking water systems are some of the smartest ever made and utilize the latest in drinking water technology. You don’t have to worry about the external decisions putting your drinking water quality at risk. If an economic stimulus is going to outweigh the safety of your public drinking water, our drinking water systems may be the perfect step in keeping your tap water safe and pure.
GET A QUOTE
