Simply put, the Reverse Osmosis (RO) solution is an extremely successful way of demineralizing water by moving it through a fine ‘RO membrane’ under pressure, leaving the impurities and contaminants on one side and the ‘purified’ water on the other. The pressure exerted during the process depends upon the type of water being treated, be it fresh or salt water, the concentration of contaminants and impurities etc. In fact, the process originated in the conversion of salt water into fresh water but has many other uses in industry, medicine and around the house.

There are many filtration systems used across the globe to purify or improve our drinking water and the RO system is just one.

RO systems typically comprise a number of important steps to ensure success. The water to be treated first needs to be filtered to clean it of larger particles such as rust from pipes and calcium. It can then be filtered again through active carbon to reduce the level of smaller particles such as chemicals or chlorine. This can be important depending on where the RO unit is operating as some of these chemicals can over time ruin the RO membranes. The water is then passed through the RO membrane with the option of then additional carbon filters and even UV light to make sure that all chemicals and microbes are removed. This invariably depends on the end use of the water, how pure the requirement and what the final chemistry of the water needs to be. The RO filters used are typically able to remove contaminant particles that are larger than 0.1nm in size and these filter fall into the finest filtration category of ‘Hyper-filtration’.

In countries where there is a poor or polluted water supply or where people are living out in the middle of nowhere, portable reverse osmosis systems can be used. Water from rivers, lakes and even the sea (desalination) can be treated using these units.

The US military use a reverse osmosis system extensively during training exercises and on the battlefield. Their ROWPUs or ‘reverse osmosis water purification units’, can produce huge amounts of purified water for the troops and a single unit can in fact provide enough for up to 6,000 men and women.

The Ro systems are extensively used worldwide in a diverse number of situations, from purifying rainwater for crop irrigation and industrial use where water shortages are common to purifying water used in power stations where purity is essential and in medicine where similar systems are used in the treatment of patients with kidney problems who need deionized water for dialysis machines. Our food and dairy industries also use huge amounts of purified water treated by reverse osmosis systems in the production of fruit juice, whey powders, milk concentrates and other heat sensitive products. RO is a more cost effective way of purifying water to be used in food production, rather than processes involving heat treatment. Even the wine growers of France who have historically frowned upon the use of RO water are utilizing the systems.

The disadvantages of RO in a household environment are in the main that the process is very wasteful, when the systems just cannot generate enough pressure and as a result, they are only about 10% efficient as opposed to industrial grade systems which approach 50% efficiency. Apart from this the demineralization process leaves the water too acidic which in turn can leach essential minerals from our bodies when we drink it, creating problems for bone,s organs and teeth. It is therefore essential for our health that some form of mineral intake is used to supplement purified water generated by RO systems.

Carbonated water is simply water that has been ‘injected’ with carbon dioxide. It is the foremost component of the majority of soft drinks and is the result of carbonation – dissolving carbon gas into normal water under pressure. The process creates carbonic acid (H2CO3) and can be man made or occasionally may occur natural as with Mihalkovo from the Bulgarian Rhodopes.

Also known as soda water, this ‘fizzy’ water can often contain a small amount of any number of chemical additives such as sodium or salt, bicarbonate, potassium citrate or potassium sulphate to name but a few. The type and quantity of additives depends greatly on the producer and how they carbonate their water.

The carbon dioxide forms very small bubbles which generate an effervescent ‘fizz’ effect which people either love or hate in unflavored water. Some liken it to drinking a remedy for hangovers rather than an enjoyable and refreshing glass of water. Whatever you call it – sparkling water, carbonated water or club soda, it is essential the same as non-carbonated or still water except for the bubbles.

The health benefits of naturally occurring sparkling spring and mineral water are legend, but the majority of carbonated water is created or processed artificially by injecting carbon di oxide. We can even create carbonated water ourselves at home by using a ‘SodaStream’ type device.

Whether drinking it to settle your stomach or for the legendary health benefits, drinking carbonated or fizzy water is a very distinctive experience. With or without added flavorings, top restaurants worldwide consider it worthy of adding to their menus.

As with carbonated soft drinks, exposure to air will allow the water to ‘go flat’. Once opened, a bottle of carbonated water is the exact same as bottles of Coke or any other carbonated beverage – they will go flat in a short space of time!

Joseph Priestley was one of the inventors of carbonated water when he discovered how to inject carbon dioxide into water. Born in England in 1767, Joseph was working at a brewery in Leeds when he worked out how to create ‘fixed air’ and impregnate the same into water. His Swedish counterpart, Torbern Bergman developed another solution when in ill-health, he discovered a method of recreating naturally occurring sparkling water which back in 1771 was believed to aid good health.

Some believe that carbonated water is a major cause of dental problems. However, most believe that it is with carbonated soft drinks containing amounts of sugar that the problem lies. As we have already inferred, the difference between carbonated water and naturally still water is negligible.

OK. Is sparkling water better for you than still water or not?

Nutritionally, it depends on the producer ;o) If you take two samples of water with the exact same composition but add CO2 to one of the samples then there will be no discernible difference to health benefits or otherwise.

Though some believe carbonation can help alleviate upset stomach and constipation, carbonated water isn’t necessarily any better or worse for you, nutritionally, than still water. It depends on the waters in question. A water rich in magnesium and calcium, whether carbonated or not would be ideal, so long as it contained little or no sodium chloride – or so the experts say. However, a good many experts also say that sodium in our water can have beneficial effects on our bodies when it comes to reducing cholesterol levels and cardiovascular issues in women post menopause.

We feel that it basically comes down to taste and personal preference.

For more information…. AllAboutWater.org

The most toxic commercial drinks are made from purified water and studies have consistently shown that heavy consumers of soft drinks, sugar-free or otherwise, dispense huge amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals into the urine leading to a greater risk of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure etc etc etc.

Purified water is usually acidic and can only be recommended for drawing poisons out of the body – SHORT TERM! Long-term, disease and early death is more likely with continued consumption of purified water.

For more on this… Watershed.net