What Are the Drawbacks of Reverse Osmosis Systems?

Empty plastic bottles of purified water keep stacking up on your kitchen counter. Even if you recycle, these plastic bottles may end up in the trash instead of a recycling bin. A reverse osmosis (RO) water system can eliminate the need for plastic bottles and provide crisp drinking water, but are there any disadvantages to owning one?

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve installed thousands of reverse osmosis systems and have helped homeowners all over Los Angeles maintain their water filtration systems. We have accumulated over 15 years of experience and have seen plenty of benefits and drawbacks of owning a RO system.

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems have the following drawbacks.

• May waste water
• Not recommended for homes with galvanized pipes
• Clogging in the filters
• Requires Filter Replacement

At the end of this article, you will better understand the drawbacks of RO systems to decide if this water filtration is suitable for your home. Let’s get started.

How Do Reverse Osmosis Water Systems Work?

Before we jump right into the drawbacks of RO systems, we’ll quickly break down how they work. Reverse osmosis systems are a type of water filtration that provides people with purified water. Here’s a quick look at how a RO water system’s multi-filtration process works.

1. Sediment Prefilter: Tap water may contain tiny amounts of sand, dust, and other physical contaminants that are difficult to see. Sediment filters help capture these physical particles and remove them from the water.
2. Carbon Prefilter: Carbon water filtration improves the taste of water by removing chemicals such as chlorine, phosphate, and any lingering amounts of pesticides and herbicides that may be in your water. Some reverse osmosis water systems can have one or two carbon prefiltration stages.
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Water is pushed through a synthetic membrane with tiny pores that can filter up to 99% of the total dissolved solids left in water.
4. Post Filter: RO systems have a post-carbon filter to purify water further. This filter helps preserve the water’s taste and removes any remaining contaminants.

Check out this article for a more in-depth look at how reverse osmosis water filtration works. Now that you know how these systems operate, you’ll understand their drawbacks better.

Reverse Osmosis System Drawbacks

Reverse osmosis water systems are installed at a single water source, like a kitchen faucet. Or if it’s a whole-house filtration system, then it is installed right after a house’s main water line. The following drawbacks apply to all reverse osmosis systems regardless of their size.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Waste Water

Reverse osmosis water systems will waste some water to continue filtering out water efficiently. The amount of water wasted ranges between one to four gallons for every one to two gallons of filtered water.

The wastewater is produced in the reverse osmosis membrane and is removed through a drain line. The membrane in RO systems will gather impurities that flow through water.

Reverse osmosis systems then allow water to wash and drain away all of the gathered impurities caught by the membrane. The water flush helps clear the RO membrane so its pores can filter water efficiently.

The entire process helps extend the lifespan of the reverse osmosis membrane, but the overall water filtration systems require annual maintenance. Another drawback of reverse osmosis systems is their reliance on filter replacement.

Filter Replacement Required

An RO system can last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance but requires consistent filter replacement every three to six months. It can be challenging to keep track of all the different filters inside a reverse osmosis system and when they require replacement. Some filters may need to be replaced at various times throughout the year.

Each filter plays a vital role in providing filtered water, and failing to replace them can affect the overall water quality. If you notice your reverse osmosis water tastes different than it did at the start, it may be due to worn-out filters.

If water from a reverse osmosis system looks foggy, it may be due to a dirty filter that cannot stop contaminants from flowing. Another reason to replace filters is to prevent another drawback of reverse osmosis: clogging.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Are Susceptible to Clogging

The filters inside reverse osmosis may end up clogging. Clogged filters cannot effectively filter out contaminants from water and can render a RO water system unusable.

Clogged reverse osmosis systems can also affect the water flow from the filter. If you notice water slowly coming out of the RO-connected filter, it may be due to a clogged filter or membrane.

If the RO system cannot use water to flush away accumulated impurities, the filters are more likely to clog up. One way to ensure that filters are working properly is to schedule annual maintenance on a reverse osmosis system.

Technicians can also assist with installation and inform you if your home’s existing pipes are suitable for reverse osmosis-filtered water. This factor leads us to the last drawback of RO water systems, which is they may require new piping before installation.

Reverse Osmosis Water Systems Are Not Suitable With Galvanized Pipes

Before installing a reverse osmosis system in your home, a technician must confirm that your home’s water lines are not made of galvanized steel. Older homes with galvanized pipes are more likely to be corroded.

The galvanized pipes’ corrosion can end up leeched by filtered water. Filtered water may taste altered and contain contaminants from the corroded galvanized pipes.

Corroded pipes may release physical particles that can clog the filters inside a reverse osmosis system. Technicians will recommend replacing corroded galvanized pipes with either PEX or copper piping, which are more suitable for delivering filtered water.

Is a Reverse Osmosis Water Systems Right for Me?

When it comes to filtered water, reverse osmosis systems are some of the most effective. Yet, these systems still have a few drawbacks worth knowing about. Now that you’re aware of these downsides, you can be more confident in either deciding whether you want a RO system or preventing these drawbacks from occurring.

Since 2007, we’ve helped replace and maintain reverse osmosis systems in homes all over Los Angeles. Our technicians are knowledgeable in the nooks and crannies of reverse osmosis systems and are familiar with all of their drawbacks that homeowners should be aware of.

If you have questions regarding reverse osmosis systems, contact us using the buttons below. You can also book an appointment using our water filtration scheduler.

For those still on the fence about RO systems, look at what you can expect regarding installation to get a better sense if this is the right filtration option for you. Reverse osmosis systems have pros and cons, but what about costs? Find out more about the factors behind reverse osmosis water filtration system pricing.