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If you live in Phoenix, you’re probably familiar with hard water. Mineral buildup around faucets, spots on dishes, and a noticeable taste or smell in your tap water are common concerns for local homeowners.

While Phoenix tap water is treated to meet safety standards, some homeowners prefer additional filtration for the water they drink and cook with. That’s where a reverse osmosis (RO) system can help.

But what exactly does reverse osmosis do, and is it the right choice for your home?

Why Is Phoenix Water So Hard?

Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert, and our water naturally picks up minerals as it moves through the ground. Calcium and magnesium are two of the primary minerals responsible for hard water.

Hard water isn’t necessarily unsafe to drink, but it can cause some frustrating issues around your home, including:

• Mineral buildup on faucets and fixtures
• Spots on dishes and glassware
• Scale buildup in plumbing fixtures and appliances
• Soap that doesn’t lather as easily
• An unpleasant mineral or chlorine taste

Phoenix Water Services publishes annual water quality reports with information about the local water supply and treatment process.

For many homeowners, the question isn’t whether their water is safe. It’s whether they want additional filtration and better-tasting water at the tap.

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a water filtration process that pushes water through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane helps reduce many dissolved substances and contaminants while allowing water to pass through.

Most residential RO systems use several stages of filtration, including:

• Sediment filtration to reduce particles such as dirt and rust
• Carbon filtration to help reduce chlorine, odors, and certain chemicals
• Reverse osmosis filtration to reduce many dissolved solids and contaminants
• Post-filtration to improve the taste before the water reaches your faucet

The result is highly filtered water delivered directly to a dedicated faucet, usually at the kitchen sink.

What Does Reverse Osmosis Remove?

Depending on the specific system, reverse osmosis can reduce a variety of dissolved substances, including:

• Sodium
• Chloride
• Lead
• Copper
• Chromium
• Fluoride
• Dissolved salts
• Certain other contaminants

Not every RO system is designed to remove every contaminant, so choosing the right system for your home’s water is important.

That’s why we believe homeowners should understand what a system actually does before investing in one.

Is Reverse Osmosis the Same as a Water Softener?

No. Reverse osmosis and water softeners serve different purposes.

A water softener is generally a whole-home solution designed to address hard water by reducing calcium and magnesium. It can help reduce scale buildup throughout your plumbing system.

A reverse osmosis system is typically installed at a specific point of use, such as your kitchen sink. Its purpose is to provide highly filtered water for drinking and cooking.

Some homeowners choose to use both because they address different water concerns.

 

Water Softener vs. Reverse Osmosis

 

Water Softener	Reverse Osmosis
Treats water throughout the home	Typically treats water at one faucet
Addresses hard water	Provides additional drinking-water filtration
Helps reduce calcium and magnesium	Reduces many dissolved substances
Protects plumbing and appliances from scale	Designed primarily for drinking and cooking

The right option depends on what you’re trying to accomplish in your home.

 

What Are the Benefits of Reverse Osmosis?

A properly selected and maintained RO system can provide several benefits:

Better-tasting water: RO filtration can reduce substances that affect the taste and smell of your water.

Convenient filtered water: Get filtered drinking water directly from your kitchen faucet instead of relying as heavily on bottled water.

Additional filtration: RO provides another level of filtration for water used for drinking and cooking.

Less bottled water: Having filtered water available at home can reduce your reliance on single-use plastic bottles.

Do You Need a Reverse Osmosis System?

Not necessarily.

If your biggest concern is hard water throughout your home, a water softener or conditioner may be a better solution.

If you’re primarily concerned about the taste and filtration of your drinking water, reverse osmosis may be a better fit.

And if you have several water-quality concerns, you may benefit from a combination of solutions.

The important thing is choosing a system based on your home’s needs, not simply buying the most expensive option.

Why Choose Robins Plumbing for Water Treatment?

At Robins Plumbing, we believe homeowners shouldn’t need a plumbing degree to understand what’s happening in their homes.

We Speak Homeowner

We’ll explain your water treatment options in straightforward language without unnecessary plumbing jargon.

We Educate and Empower

We want you to understand what a system does, why you may need it, and what your options are so you can make an informed decision.

We Provide a Higher Level of Service

From the initial conversation through installation, we focus on clear communication, professional workmanship, and treating your home with respect.

That’s what we mean when we say a higher level of service.

Is Reverse Osmosis Right for Your Phoenix Home?

If you’re considering a reverse osmosis system, the best place to start is by understanding your home’s water and what you want to improve.

Whether you’re looking for better-tasting drinking water, additional filtration, or help deciding between reverse osmosis and a water softener, the team at Robins Plumbing can help you understand your options.

We proudly serve homeowners throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities.

Have questions about your water? Give us a call at (623) 486-4657.

If you need a plumber, Call a Robin!