Quick summary: Reverse osmosis is the gold standard for home drinking water, forcing it through a fine membrane to remove contaminants.
- A multi-stage system uses sediment and carbon pre-filters, the RO membrane, a carbon post-filter, and a storage tank holding two to four gallons.
- RO removes 90 to 99 percent of dissolved solids and most lead, arsenic, nitrates, PFAS, fluoride, chlorine, and hardness.
- A 2026 trend is high-flow systems producing 400 to 1,000 or more gallons per day, up from 50 to 100.
Reverse osmosis is the gold standard for home drinking water purification. When you want the cleanest, best-tasting water possible — especially in South Dakota and Minnesota where concerns about hard water, nitrates, arsenic, and PFAS are legitimate — a quality RO system at your kitchen tap delivers bottle-quality water on demand.
How Reverse Osmosis Works
Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. The membrane has pores approximately 0.0001 microns — small enough to block dissolved salts, heavy metals, PFAS compounds, and most other contaminants while allowing pure water molecules through.
A standard RO system has multiple stages:
- Sediment pre-filter: Removes particles, sand, and silt that could damage the membrane
- Carbon pre-filter: Removes chlorine and chloramines that would degrade the membrane
- RO membrane: The core filtration stage — removes dissolved contaminants
- Carbon post-filter: Final polishing for taste and odor
- Storage tank: Holds 2–4 gallons of treated water for on-demand delivery
What RO Removes (and Doesn’t)
| Contaminant | RO Removal Rate |
|---|---|
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 90–99% |
| Lead | 95–98% |
| Arsenic (V) | 90–95% |
| Nitrates | 85–95% |
| PFOA/PFOS (PFAS) | 90–99% (NSF-certified systems) |
| Fluoride | 85–95% |
| Chlorine | 95–99% |
| Hardness minerals | 90–99% |
| Bacteria/viruses | Effectively removed (99%+) |
High-Flow RO Systems in 2026
A significant trend in 2026 is the shift to high-flow RO systems — units producing 400–1,000+ gallons per day, compared to traditional systems producing 50–100 GPD. High-flow systems eliminate the wait for the storage tank to refill and better accommodate larger households. Applied Water Technologies offers high-flow system options for households with higher water consumption needs.
RO vs. Whole House Filtration
- RO (under-sink): Most effective for drinking/cooking water. Provides highest contaminant removal. Doesn’t treat shower or laundry water.
- Whole-house filtration: Treats all water in the home. Typically uses carbon or multi-media filtration — less effective than RO for dissolved contaminants like nitrates, arsenic, and PFAS.
- Best approach for most SD/MN families: Whole-house water softener + under-sink RO for drinking water. The softener handles hardness for the whole home; RO provides premium drinking water.
RO Maintenance Requirements
An RO system requires periodic maintenance to maintain performance:
- Pre-filters: Replace every 6–12 months
- RO membrane: Replace every 2–4 years
- Post-filter: Replace every 12 months
- System sanitization: Annual cleaning recommended
Applied Water Technologies’ Service Plus program includes scheduled RO maintenance — we handle replacements and ensure your system is always performing. This is especially important for PFAS removal, where a degraded membrane may no longer meet performance specifications.
Install an RO System in Your Eastern South Dakota and Western Minnesota Home
Applied Water Technologies installs and services reverse osmosis systems throughout Eastern South Dakota and Western Minnesota. Free water analysis included with every estimate. 25-Year Warranty on systems.
(605) 753-2782 |
520 11th Ave. S.E. Suite #1, Watertown, SD 57201
office.appliedwater@gmail.com | Monday–Friday 10AM–8PM
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