What does a reverse osmosis do?
You’ve heard you “really should get an RO” but you have no idea what they actually do… Most Houston homeowners hear the term, know it means “really clean water,” but don’t fully understand how it works or why it’s so different from other filters.
Here’s the simplest explanation:
Reverse osmosis removes the dissolved contaminants that other filters can’t. An RO gives you pure, bottled-quality water right from your kitchen sink.
What Reverse Osmosis Removes
Reverse osmosis is one of the only filtration processes that removes contaminants at the molecular level, including things too small for carbon filters or pitchers to catch.
R.O. can remove:
Dissolved salts and minerals (sodium, fluoride, hardness residue)
Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, chromium, copper)
Chemicals and pesticides
Nitrates and nitrites
PFAS (“forever chemicals”)
Microplastics
Bacteria and viruses (when combined with UV or pre/post-disinfection)
This is why the water tastes so clean. It’s not just filtered, it’s purified.
How a Reverse Osmosis System Works
An R.O. system typically has 3–5 stages, each designed to remove specific contaminants:
1. Sediment Filtration
Removes sand, dirt, and grit to protect the system.
2. Carbon Filtration
Removes chlorine, chemicals, and odors and protects the R.O. membrane.
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane
The heart of the system. Water is pushed through a microscopic membrane that only pure water can pass through. Everything else is flushed away.
4. Polishing Filter
Improves taste before the water reaches your faucet.
Optional: UV Light or Post-Carbon Filtration for extra protection on well water.
The result is water that’s cleaner than bottled without the plastic waste or recurring expense.
Why Houston Homes Benefit from R.O.
Reverse osmosis is especially valuable in Houston because our water frequently contains:
High chlorine/chloramine levels
Hardness minerals that affect taste
Dissolved solids from aging infrastructure or groundwater
Chemical contaminants found across Texas aquifers
Even if you have a whole-home filter or softener, those systems don’t remove dissolved contaminants. That’s where R.O. comes in.
Soft water protects your plumbing. R.O. protects your family’s drinking water.
Where Reverse Osmosis Is Installed
R.O. systems are typically installed:
Under the kitchen sink
At refrigerator/ice maker lines
In a dedicated drinking water station
…. personally, I have them on everything that will go into my body.
An under-sink R.O. is the perfect balance of:
Cost
Performance
Space
Purity
Convenience
Why Environmental ProTech
At Environmental ProTech, we’ve installed reverse osmosis systems in Houston homes for more than 30 years. Our systems are sized for Houston’s unique water chemistry, city or well, and matched to your home’s usage patterns.
We provide:
In-home water testing to see what your water actually needs
Professional installation for ideal pressure, flow, and taste
Long-term maintenance and support
We also offer alkaline filters for those interested!
Our goal: pure drinking water you can trust.
Submit the form below to find out if you’d benefit from an RO at your home!
PS. We have over 30 years experience in bringing clean water to the Houston Homeowners. Our reviews speak for themselves! If you want clean drinking water from your faucet, contact us at 281-495-4420 to schedule your free water test today.
Sources & Further Reading
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Home Water Treatment
https://www.epa.gov/water-research/home-water-treatmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention – Reverse Osmosis
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-treatment/reverse-osmosis.htmlWater Quality Association – RO Technology Overview
https://www.wqa.orgTexas Commission on Environmental Quality – Drinking Water Quality
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/quality.html