[AGWhitehouse]

Been recently investigating water purification avenues after seeing my water analysis report. What I'm finding confusing is the articles that are as divided as the U.S. Government.

If I understand what I'm reading correctly a reverse-osmosis system essentially provides distilled water, or a very close relative. And using/drinking distilled water for long periods of time actually has negative effects on the body and on traditional plumbing systems.

Does anyone have experience in water purification such that they know of a system that can provide purified (of chlorine, flouride, nitrates, etc.) water that maintains healthy mineral levels?

 

[silencer]

Have you looked into Zero Filters?

 

[joecaption]

An activated charcoal filter shoud take care of those and be a whole lot less money amd less maintance and expence.
Could even just get the one that attaches to the faucet. No since doing the whole house.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

I don't really understand your concern. It is correct that a reverse osmosis system essentially provides mineral free water, which is similar in chemical properties to distilled water. Distilled water, demineralized water, and similarly pure water are used in industrial processes very frequently, with no negative effect on piping. Pure water is not a particularly aggressive chemical, and should have little effect on copper, PVC, iron pipe, PEX, or any other commonly used plumbing material.

As to the effect on your body, of course if you remove the minerals from water, then you need to find an alternative source of trace minerals through your food supply, but you need to do this anyway, since there are few if any water supplies that have sufficient trace minerals to provide your minimum daily intake of all required minerals.

Asking about a purification system that selectively removes minerals you feel are hazardous, particularly the ones you mentioned (chlorine, fluorine, nitrates), but allows the beneficial minerals to remain in the water, is asking for the impossible. Bear in mind that virtually all minerals are necessary at some level, but can be toxic at higher concentrations. For example, potassium is necessary at low concentrations, but is toxic at high concentrations. So you are seeking a purification system that reduces mineral levels to their beneficial level, but not to zero. Pretty tough sell.

 

[AGWhitehouse]

I don't really understand your concern.

Thinking more, the piping doesn't seem an issue as the water wouldn't be exposed to air. Science papers I read indicated that distilled water absorbs chemicals (mainly CO2) from the air and turns the water slightly acidic which is typically not good for piping.

The concerns also came from the scientific papers stating that ingested distilled water acts like a sponge in removing toxins/minerals/etc. from the body. Prolonged ingestion of distilled water has been noted, by some, to have adverse health effects. Since I drink about 6 glasses of tap water a day, Prolonged ingestion is where my concerns lie.

I thought the taking some and leaving some was an impossible order. Just didn't know if there was some "mineralizer" of sorts that could be added downstream of a RO filter.....maybe I'm fishing on dry land...

 

[AGWhitehouse]

An activated charcoal filter shoud take care of those.

This takes care of the chlorine, but the nitrates aren't generally dealt with by charcoal and my high levels of sodium aren't touched either. Most of the RO systems I've found come with at least a 3-stage carbon filtration system prior to the actual RO unit.

 

[tylernt]

I thought the taking some and leaving some was an impossible order. Just didn't know if there was some "mineralizer" of sorts that could be added downstream of a RO filter.....maybe I'm fishing on dry land...

There are. You can buy a little bottle with a dropper to add to bottles of RO.

You can also get a chlorine injection pump (as used on some well systems) to push minerals into a pressurized water holding tank that you can then use for taps and ice makers etc. Dunno if the injection rate can be dialed down low enough for pure mineral concentrate, though. You may need to dilute it.