Reverse osmosis water and spring water are the main drinking water in people's daily lives, and each has its unique characteristics and advantages. So, what is the difference between them? How should you choose?
In this article, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of reverse osmosis water and spring water, as well as the differences between them, to help you make the most suitable choice according to your needs.
Learn About Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis water is mainly pure water that has been treated through a high-tech purification process, and its core lies in advanced reverse osmosis technology.
According to the US EPA research, Reverse osmosis technology mainly relies on the selective permeability of semipermeable membranes. Semipermeable membranes have very fine pores, with a pore size of 0.0001 microns, which is much smaller than viruses and bacteria. It only allows water molecules to pass through, while most other substances dissolved in water, such as ions, organic matter, etc., are intercepted.
The reverse osmosis system can remove more than 95% of impurities, heavy metals, viruses, bacteria, and chemical pollutants in water, leaving clean water with almost no impurities. Therefore, reverse osmosis water is pure water and has become an ideal choice for drinking water in daily life.
Related: How Does Reverse Osmosis Work
Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis Water
Although reverse osmosis water is extremely pure and has many advantages, it is favored by those who pursue healthy drinking water. However, reverse osmosis technology has also caused some controversy. The following will briefly introduce the advantages and disadvantages of reverse osmosis water to help you analyze reverse osmosis water from multiple angles.
Advantage
- Super strong purification ability: Reverse osmosis technology can remove up to 99% of dissolved impurities, such as bacteria, heavy metals, organic compounds, and other pollutants, ensuring that the filtered water is very pure and safe.
- Improve drinking experience: The purified water has no odor and tastes more refreshing and pure. Whether it is drunk directly or used for cooking or brewing tea or coffee, it will bring a better taste.
- Wide range of application scenarios: In addition to outdoor camping and household drinking, reverse osmosis water also plays an important role in medical, industrial, and laboratory fields, demonstrating strong adaptability and technical potential.
Shortcoming
- Minerals removed: Reverse osmosis water contains almost no minerals. Many people think that long-term drinking of reverse osmosis water will reduce the intake of minerals. Mineral supplementation does not completely depend on water quality. You can supplement minerals through diet.
- Regularly replace the filter element: The water filter cartridge needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly to ensure the efficient operation of the reverse osmosis system.
Related: How to Clean Reverse Osmosis Membrane? | How to Change a Water Filter Cartridge?
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Good for You Long Term?
Drinking reverse osmosis (RO) water for a long time is safe, but there are some potential problems to be aware of. RO water is filtered efficiently to remove almost all impurities, including minerals. However, many people believe that if you drink reverse osmosis water for a long time, you may lack minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
For balance, when drinking RO water for a long time, you can supplement minerals through a healthy diet, or choose a reverse osmosis system with remineralization function. Therefore, understanding your health needs and water quality characteristics can help you better decide whether to drink reverse osmosis water for a long time.
Learn About Spring Water
Springwater is a natural outcrop of groundwater. It is the water that flows out continuously from the intersection of the aquifer or water-bearing channel and the ground. It tastes clear and sweet. According to the nature of the aquifer that supplies the spring, it can be divided into ascending springs and descending springs. According to the different water flow conditions, it can be divided into intermittent springs and perennial springs. If the groundwater does not form an obvious water flow after it emerges from the surface, it is called seepage water. According to the temperature of the water flow, springs can be divided into hot springs and cold springs.
According to the cause of the emergence of springs, they can be divided into erosion springs, contact springs, overflow springs, fault springs, etc. According to the temperature of the spring water, they can be divided into cold springs, slightly hot springs, hot springs, hot springs, and hyperthermic springs. According to the depth of groundwater circulation, they can be divided into surface springs, shallow circulation springs, and deep circulation springs. Spring water contains a certain amount of minerals, trace elements, and soluble gas components. Spring water is also often used for earthquake monitoring and prediction and earth science research.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Spring Water
Spring water is a naturally occurring source of water that is formed when groundwater comes to the surface. It is loved by many people for its natural filtration and mineral content, but there are some issues to be aware of. Here are the pros and cons of spring water:
Advantage
- Natural filtration: Spring water is naturally filtered through rock formations, so it is usually clearer and contains natural minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are beneficial to the human body.
- Good taste: Due to its rich mineral content, spring water usually has a purer and slightly sweeter taste.
Shortcoming
- Pollution risk: If there is industrial, agricultural or domestic pollution (such as pesticides and wastewater discharge) near the spring source, the spring water may be polluted. Spring water near the surface is easily washed away by rain and brought in pollutants.
- Unbalanced mineral content: Too high mineral content, such as too much calcium and magnesium, may cause hard water, and long-term drinking may increase the risk of stones.
- High cost: It is expensive to buy bottled spring water, especially branded spring water.
Is Spring Water Safe to Drink?
It mainly depends on whether the spring water source meets the drinking water standards. This includes whether it contains pathogenic microorganisms and toxic pollutants. If the water source has not been tested, it is difficult to judge whether it can be directly drunk.
Even if the water source looks clear, it may contain pathogenic microorganisms that are invisible to our naked eyes, such as bacteria and parasites. These microorganisms can cause acute poisoning or chronic health problems. In addition, the water may also contain toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals and organic pollutants. These pollutants accumulate in the body over a long time and may cause adverse health effects.
Therefore, it is not recommended to drink wild spring water casually from the principle of caution. Even if it is spring water that locals often drink, it is best not to take it casually. For health reasons, it is recommended that you use the ITEHIL portable water filtration system, which can remove 99.99% of harmful impurities in water.
The Main Difference Between Them
Mineral Content
Reverse osmosis water removes most of the dissolved minerals through technical means, making it almost "pure water". Spring water is rich in natural minerals and has a certain nutritional supplement effect on the human body.
Purity and Safety
Reverse osmosis water is known for its ultra-high purity, effectively filtering out possible contaminants. This property makes it particularly suitable for use in industrial or medical settings. In contrast, the purity of spring water varies depending on the source of the water, and untreated spring water may contain microbial or chemical contaminants.
FAQ
Is It Better to Drink Spring Water or Purified Water?
Spring water contains natural minerals that help replenish nutrition, but you need to confirm that the water source is safe. Purified water does not contain any impurities and is more suitable for drinking. When choosing, you should consider the water quality safety, and personal needs.
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Hard on Kidneys?
No. As long as you have a balanced diet and adequate mineral intake, long-term consumption of reverse osmosis water will not have adverse effects on the kidneys.
Does Reverse Osmosis Water Dehydrate You?
No. RO water is filtered to remove all impurities, but it still effectively replenishes the water needed by the body. Therefore, RO water will not cause dehydration.
Is Mountain Valley Spring Water Spring Water?
Not necessarily. Many products labeled "Valley Spring Water" are treated tap water or groundwater, not real spring water. Check the product label and water source information to confirm its authenticity.
Is Distilled Water the Same as Reverse Osmosis Water?
No. Distilled water is made by heating and evaporating to remove impurities and contains almost no minerals; reverse osmosis water is made by filtering through a membrane to remove impurities but may retain trace minerals. Both are very pure but are made in different ways.
