Brita vs. Reverse Osmosis: A Total Comparison

Are you debating Brita vs. Reverse Osmosis for your home? We want to equip you with the knowledge you need so that your family can be equipped with the right tools and information to keep your water soft and your home's plumbing in order.

Reverse osmosis (R/O) is a water treatment process in which water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane that has very small holes or "pores." Carbon Filters are often found in Brita water filters and these remove some chlorine from the water. Here’s all you need to know.

1. Brita vs. Reverse Osmosis

2. Carbon Filtration (Brita Filters)

3. Reverse Osmosis (R/O)

4. The Difference

5. Health Benefits of Reverse Osmosis

6. What’s the best Reverse Osmosis system to purchase?

As a water purifier installer in Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding areas since 1994, we at WaterSmart have learned that education is more important than making a sale.

If you are interested in reverse osmosis as a water solution for your home, contact the local experts at WaterSmart today.

1. BRITA VS. REVERSE OSMOSIS

The following chart really shows the differences between Brita filters and Reverse Osmosis.

2. CARBON FILTRATION (BRITA FILTERS)

Carbon filtration is one of the oldest technologies out there for filtering water. Most commonly today, they are known as the technology that Brita water filters or refrigerator filters use.

These use a simple carbon gravel for their filter that will remove some chlorine. You can also buy carbon filters in block form, some with "activated carbon", also called "activated charcoal."

These will remove more chlorine.

A high-quality carbon filter removes 99% of the chlorine in water, however, these are not found in Brita filters but they are found in reverse osmosis systems.

These systems are best for removing bad taste and odour, as seen in the chart above.

3. REVERSE OSMOSIS (R/O)

Reverse osmosis, as mentioned above, is a water treatment process in which water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane that has very small holes or "pores."

Clean water passes through and impurities that are too big to pass through the membrane are left behind and flushed away.

According to Engineering at Dartmouth, reverse osmosis was actually invented by French physicist Jean Antoine Nollet in the eighteenth century.

However, it wasn't until 1969 that it started to be used as a commercial application when Dean Spatz used the process to separate maple sugar from sap.

From there it has become a key process used in water filtration.

Here’s a look at a Reverse Osmosis system. Watch the video below for a demonstration.

4. THE DIFFERENCE

 Reverse osmosis and carbon filters are very different technologies.

Carbon is not bad - it is often used in dechlorination.

However, when it comes to whole-home drinking water, there is a big difference. Reverse osmosis removes over 500x the microns that carbon filters will remove (as seen in the chart above).

There are also many health benefits to reverse osmosis. 

5. HEALTH BENEFITS OF REVERSE OSMOSIS

Because reverse osmosis uses a chemical treatment process to apply pressure to the water, through a series of specialized membranes, it enables foreign substances, molecules, and minerals to be removed. This process creates pure water that leads to a number of health benefits.

1. Free of Lead

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reverse osmosis can effectively remove lead, making highly contaminated water safe for drinking.

Lead can be very dangerous in high amounts, and can even lead to brain damage in children. However, in smaller amounts it can lead to increased blood pressure, problems with fertility, nerve and muscle damage, and more.

Be sure to have your water tested and install a reverse osmosis system if you believe you may have a problem with lead in your water.

2. Safe For Cancer Patients

Cancer patients can consume reverse osmosis purified water during and after cancer treatment. During chemo and radiation, cancer patients have weakened immune systems.

Untreated water, while often deemed harmless, can cause serious infections when immunity is compromised in cancer patients. Reverse osmosis purifies the water to the point that it is safe for cancer patients before, during, and after treatment.

3. Filters Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in contaminated water. According to the CDC, reverse osmosis removes this contaminant.

If water is not treated and this parasite is ingested, it can affect the small intestine, causing nausea, fever, and diarrhea. In children, symptoms can be more severe.

4. Removes Sodium

Because of the special membranes that are a part of the reverse osmosis filtering system, large sodium molecules cannot pass through into the drinking water.

If you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or any other cause for sodium restrictions, you will want to ensure you have a reverse osmosis system installed in your home.

R/O creates pure water that leads to a number of health benefits.

6. What’s the best Reverse Osmosis system to purchase?

There are many different brands of reverse osmosis systems to purchase.

It is important to buy one that is high quality and also includes a carbon filter to block dangerous chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine which are small enough to pass through the reverse osmosis filter.

At WaterSmart we sell, install, and service Duro Reverse Osmosis systems.

These high-quality systems come with both a pre and a post-carbon filter. Learn more about our high-quality Duro system or contact us today to see what is the best system for you.

brita vs reverse osmosis: WE TAKE WATER SERIOUSLY

Since 1994, WaterSmart Systems has consistently offered its customers in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding areas innovative, quality products and excellent service.

We are a water softener and full plumbing service company that you can trust. Along with our products that will serve all of your home water softening needs, we value our customers and get them what they need and not pressure them for sales.

At WaterSmart we take our role in providing our customers with an adequate supply of clean drinking water seriously.

If you have questions about your water quality or the type of water you need, drop by one of our locations or give us a call to find out how we can help improve the quality of your water.

If you are concerned about your water supply, don't hesitate to contact us immediately. Trust WaterSmart, we know good water, and we know how to make sure you get it.