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Is RO Water Filter Good for Health?

Is RO Water Filter Good for Health?
May 12, 2025 ARTICLES

In today’s world, access to clean drinking water is more essential than ever. With rising pollution, increasing TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels, and contamination from industrial waste and heavy metals, many households and industries are turning to advanced purification systems. One of the most common solutions is the RO water filter. But this raises an important question: Is RO water filter good for health?

Let’s dive deep into the science, benefits, concerns, and expert opinions to help you make an informed decision.


What is RO Water and How Does an RO Water Filter Work?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, dissolved salts, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from water. The RO system applies pressure to push water through this membrane, leaving behind particles that are too large to pass through.

The RO Filtration Process:

  1. Pre-filtration: Removes sediments and larger particles.

  2. Carbon filtration: Eliminates chlorine and organic impurities.

  3. RO membrane: Filters out dissolved solids like lead, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and more.

  4. Post-filtration (optional): Enhances taste and adds essential minerals back.

As a result, you get purified, tasteless, odorless, and almost neutral pH water—ideal for many applications.


Benefits of RO Water for Health

There’s no denying the fact that clean water is vital for our health. RO filters provide a level of purification that most traditional systems simply can’t match.

Here are some clear health benefits of RO water:

  • Removes toxic substances: RO filtration eliminates harmful contaminants such as lead, arsenic, mercury, fluoride, and nitrates which are linked to several health issues.

  • Reduces bacterial and viral load: Essential for people with weak immunity, children, and elderly.

  • Improves water taste: By removing chlorine and metallic tastes, RO water is more palatable.

  • Safe for cooking: Using purified water in food preparation ensures no harmful chemicals are consumed indirectly.

For people living in industrial zones or areas with high TDS water, RO water can significantly reduce the risk of long-term exposure to dangerous substances.


Possible Side Effects of RO Water

While the benefits are significant, there are some concerns worth discussing.

The main drawbacks of RO water include:

  1. Loss of Essential Minerals
    RO systems not only remove harmful substances but also strip away beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This can result in demineralized water with very low TDS (<50 ppm), which some argue is not ideal for long-term consumption.

  2. Low pH and Taste Issues
    RO water can become slightly acidic due to the absence of buffering minerals, which affects the taste and may irritate those with digestive issues.

  3. Environmental Impact
    For every liter of purified water, the RO process can waste 2–3 liters. However, newer models come with water-saving features.

While these issues are real, they can often be mitigated by choosing a RO system with a TDS controller or mineral cartridge.


Is RO Water Good for Daily Consumption?

Yes, RO water is generally safe for daily drinking, especially when it's from a well-maintained system and falls within the recommended TDS range.

Here's what you should know:

  • WHO recommends a TDS range of 50–500 ppm for safe drinking water.

  • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prescribes a maximum of 500 ppm TDS.

  • Water with TDS lower than 50 ppm may lack minerals and taste flat, but it's not harmful per se.

Daily consumption of RO water is safe, especially if you ensure the TDS is balanced and the purifier is serviced regularly.


How to Make RO Water Healthier

If you're concerned about mineral loss or TDS levels, consider these adjustments:

1. Use a TDS Controller

This component blends some natural water back into the RO output, restoring minerals while keeping harmful substances out.

2. Add a Mineral Cartridge

These cartridges reintroduce essential minerals like calcium and magnesium after RO filtration.

3. Regular Maintenance

Cleaning the filters, checking the membrane, and monitoring TDS levels ensure consistent water quality.

4. Choose a Smart RO System

Modern RO systems come with TDS level indicators, auto-flushing, and multiple purification stages—ensuring both safety and taste.


RO Water vs Other Purification Methods

Let’s compare RO with other popular purification methods:

Feature RO System UV Purifier UF Purifier
Removes Dissolved Salts ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Removes Microbes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (kills only) ✅ Yes
Needs Electricity ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Affects TDS ✅ Yes (can lower) ❌ No ❌ No

When should you choose RO?
If your water source has high TDS (>300 ppm), visible particles, or contamination risk, RO is often the best solution.


Who Should Use RO Water Filters?

RO filters are ideal for:

  • Urban households with high TDS borewell water

  • Homes near industrial or construction zones

  • Families with infants, elderly, or immunocompromised members

  • Businesses needing pure water: cafes, labs, salons, clinics

Those with municipal water (low TDS, pre-treated) may not require RO and can opt for UV/UF filters instead.


Myths vs Facts about RO Water and Health

Let’s bust some common myths:

Myth Fact
RO water is bad for health ❌ False – It’s safe if TDS is maintained
RO removes all minerals = dangerous ❌ Misleading – Re-mineralization resolves this
All homes need RO ❌ Not true – Depends on source water quality
RO causes weak bones ❌ No scientific proof – Balanced diet compensates

A well-calibrated RO system doesn't pose health risks—it ensures protection from real threats like arsenic, lead, and microbial contamination.


Expert Opinions and Studies

  1. WHO Report: WHO suggests water with low TDS is not inherently dangerous but may taste flat and lack some minerals.

  2. BIS Standard: Sets the maximum safe limit of TDS at 500 ppm in drinking water.

  3. Indian Medical Association: Recommends RO systems in high-risk zones or for people with health concerns.

  4. AIIMS Study (India): Found RO systems beneficial in areas with fluoride contamination.

Experts agree that RO water is safe, especially when supplemented with mineral boosters.


Conclusion: Is RO Water Filter Good for Health?

In summary, yes, RO water filters are good for health, particularly when:

  • Your water source has high TDS or contamination

  • You use a system with TDS control or mineralization

  • The unit is regularly maintained

While RO water may lack some minerals, it eliminates far greater risks—from heavy metals to dangerous microbes. With smart usage, RO purification offers a healthy, safe, and reliable way to ensure clean drinking water for your family or business.


FAQs

1. Is RO water safe to drink daily?

Yes, RO water is safe for daily use as long as the TDS level remains within 50–500 ppm and essential minerals are supplemented if needed.

2. Does RO water remove minerals?

Yes, RO removes both harmful and beneficial minerals, but systems with mineral cartridges or TDS controllers can restore balance.

3. What TDS level is considered good for RO water?

The ideal TDS level for drinking water is between 100–300 ppm for both safety and taste.

4. Can RO water cause health issues?

Not directly. Concerns arise only if you consume ultra-low TDS water for years without a balanced diet. Re-mineralization solves this issue.