I don't know a thing about you, but I'll be that if you're going to go out of your way to purchase a water filter for your home, you want the best product that money can buy. You may have considered a reverse osmosis water purification unit but there are some facts you must know before you make the decision to buy one.

The reverse osmosis water purification unit was invented for the printing and photo processing industries, which require mineral-free water. The water they produce is not fit for human consumption for that very reason.

Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are found in natural water sources and are essential to good health. A reverse osmosis water purification unit removes these essential minerals so drinking the water can lead to an increased risk of cancer and multiple mineral deficiencies.

Studies show that the people who live the longest, most disease-free lives in the world have a water supply that is rich in minerals. De-mineralized water is an acid with a pH below 7 due to its high hydrogen content. When you drink de-mineralized water, your body tries to neutralize the acid by pulling minerals from your teeth and bones, eventually leading to multiple mineral deficiencies.

Another thing that happens when your body is in an acid state versus an alkaline state is that it increases its production of free radicals. Increased free radical production leads to an increased risk for cancer. If you want to avoid the health risks that come with using a reverse osmosis water purification system, you would do well exploring alternatives.

An added issue that comes with using a reverse osmosis system is the fact that it must be used in conjunction with a carbon filter in order to remove both synthetic and organic chemicals. Reverse osmosis systems remove contaminants based on their molecular size and since synthetic chemicals are molecularly smaller than water, they are not caught by the porous membrane used to filter out contaminants during reverse osmosis.

A reverse osmosis water purification unit is also expensive, high-maintenance, wasteful, and slow. It costs 18 to 24 cents per gallon whereas a carbon block or granular filtration system costs less than 10 cents per gallon. Reverse osmosis systems also waste 2 to 3 gallons of water for every gallon they produce and they produce less than a gallon of clean water per hour. Carbon filters don't waste any water and can produce up to 30 gallons per hour.

A reverse osmosis water purification unit is high-maintenance because it requires adequate water pressure and a diaphragmed storage tank. It is also complicated to install. On the other hand, carbon filters can be installed in a matter of minutes without the necessity of calling a plumber.

So there you have it. When you consider cost, effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience, a reverse osmosis water purification unit is certainly not the best option out here. On all fronts, carbon filters are by far the best water filters money can buy. So get out there and start shopping around for a carbon filter instead of a reverse osmosis one if you want an easy and affordable way to have access to cleaner, safer water.