October 9th - 2007

Improving water quality through reverse osmosis

A reliable supply of clean drinking water is always a concern for homebuyers of rural and recreational property.

A reliable supply of clean drinking water is always a concern for homebuyers of rural and recreational property. Many homes in these areas obtain their drinking water from a well which may contain microbiological, chemical, or other types of contamination. But that concern for high quality drinking water has spilled over into larger communities, even where the drinking water is supplied by the municipality.
 
The quality of drinking water can be improved through a water filtration system installed in the home. A reverse osmosis system is one type, and it is becoming more commonplace to see these installed in new homes. A reverse osmosis filtration system is frequently used to help remove up to 95 per cent of dissolved solids and minerals in drinking water. Reverse osmosis (R/O) systems purify water by forcing pressurized water through a very fine, plastic membrane.
 
Drinking water from wells and other private sources should be tested periodically to determine if it is safe as well as to discover what specific contaminants or minerals are present.
 
How R/O works
According to a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) fact sheet, during the initial filtration stage, tap water or well water (pressurized by a booster pump) is passed through a particle filter (a pre-filter) that removes silt, sediment, sand, and clay particles that might clog the R/O membrane. The water is then forced through an activated carbon filter that traps minerals and contaminants such as chromium, mercury, copper, chloramine, pesticides and chlorine. Water is then transferred under pressure into the R/O module, allowing only clean water to pass through the small pores in the membrane. Impurities unable to pass through the membrane are left behind and flushed down the drain. The treated water is then sent to a storage tank and passed through an activated carbon filter before use to further improve the water's taste and smell.
 
Reverse osmosis units can be purchased at department and hardware stores, and are also sold by water equipment dealers. The cost for a reverse osmosis unit ranges from $400 for a portable or under-sink unit to $2,500 for a larger, stationary (basement) unit where a booster pump and a pressure system are installed. Replacement pre-filters will cost approximately $100 – $200 each.
 
A reverse osmosis system may be the answer to a buyer’s concerns about the quality drinking water in the home. Some options to learn more about reverse osmosis water filtration: type “reverse osmosis” into the search function at http://www.cmhc.ca/ to obtain a copy of the free fact sheet; search http://www.wikipedia.org/, or; go to http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/. There’s also a small section on reverse osmosis in the OREA Real Estate Encyclopedia on page 576.

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Ontario Real Estate Association

Jean-Adrien Delicano

Manager, Media Relations

JeanAdrienD@orea.com

416-445-9910 ext. 246

Ontario Real Estate Association
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