RO vs UV Water Treatment Comparison
Having clean water is essential for good health. Due to the widespread pollution of water bodies, tap water is no longer a reliable source of water. There have been several cases where people have fallen ill due to drinking unfiltered tap water. Therefore, we are explaining the RO vs UV Water Treatment Comparison. Having a high-quality, if not the best, water purifier is essential. Not only homes but also commercial and industrial applications in a variety of areas require treated water. However, the market offers many water purifiers that use different water purification systems. Therefore, choosing the right water filter can be confusing. Choosing the right water purifier can make all the difference in the world. To help you make the right decision, we have compared the most popular water purification systems, i.e. RO water purifiers vs UV water purifiers.
What is RO water purification system?
It is a water purification system that moves water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. As a result, only water molecules can move to the other side of the membrane, leaving behind dissolved salts and other impurities. Thus, reverse osmosis purified water is free from harmful bacteria and dissolved contaminants. If you need more details, you can find them here.
What is UV Water Purification System?
In a UV water filter system, ultraviolet rays kill harmful bacteria from the water. Thus, the water is completely disinfected from pathogens. UV water purifier is beneficial for health because it kills all harmful microbes present in the water without affecting the taste. If you are still looking for more information, we are happy to provide it here.
Which is better – reverse osmosis or ultraviolet (RO vs UV) water purifier?
While both reverse osmosis and UV water purification systems remove or kill harmful bacteria present in the water, you need to consider several other factors before making your final purchase decision. Below are the main differences between the two filtration systems.
- A UV filter kills all pathogens present in the water. However, dead bacteria remain suspended in the water. On the other hand, reverse osmosis water purifiers kill bacteria and filter out their dead bodies that are floating in the water. Therefore, reverse osmosis purified water is healthier.
- Reverse osmosis water purifiers can remove salts and dissolved chemicals from water. However, UV water filters cannot separate dissolved solids from water. Therefore, reverse osmosis systems are more effective in purifying tap water as bacteria is not the only thing that contaminates water. Heavy metals and other harmful chemicals present in water can negatively affect your health.
- Reverse osmosis purifiers have a built-in pre-filtration system that helps them work with dirty and muddy water. On the other hand, UV filters do not work with muddy water. The water must be clear to effectively kill bacteria. Therefore, UV filters may not be a good choice for areas where the water contains a high amount of sediment.
- Reverse osmosis water purifiers require electricity to boost the water pressure. However, UV filters can work with normal water pressure.
- Another major aspect of choosing a water purifier is the cost. Nowadays, the price of water purifiers is justified. It protects us from waterborne diseases. The price of a reverse osmosis filter is justified for the protection it provides. Besides, a UV water purifier provides some other important aspects such as time (UV purifiers are faster than reverse osmosis filters) and keeps the water with its natural color and taste.
Brief Comparison between RO vs UV
However, when we compare RO and UV water purifiers, it is clear that RO is a more effective water purification system than UV. UV water purifiers only disinfect water, which protects you from waterborne diseases. However, they fail to remove harmful dissolved salts and heavy metals from the water, so combined water purification systems are more reliable and efficient.
| No | RO filter | UV filter |
| 1 | Needs electricity | Needs electricity |
| 2 | Kills & Filters all microorganisms | Kills all microorganisms but cannot filter |
| 3 | Needs electricity to boost the speed of tap water | Works with normal tap water speed |
| 4 | Can remove all dissolved solids, salts and metals | Cannot remove any dissolved solids or metals |
| 5 | Removes all suspended and visible impurities | Does not remove any suspended and visible impurities |
| 6 | Membrane Size is 0.0001 Microns | No membrane |
| 7 | Suitable for water with TDS level above 300ppm | Suitable for water with TDS level below 300ppm |
RO vs UV water purifiers which is better?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) represent a mixture of contaminants, including industrial waste and pesticides, present in water. Reducing TDS is very important because it can lead to serious health risks, which is only possible with an RO purifier.
Other microorganisms besides TDS can be present in the water source, which needs a UV filter. This is why having a UV filter is important.
An RO water purifier with built-in UV technology becomes a wise choice. Especially in areas where you are not sure about the TDS levels and other contaminants in your water.
In short
Choosing the right water purifier depends entirely on the quality of your water source and the specific contaminants you need to treat. It is also common to find water purifiers that come with two or more of these technologies for comprehensive water treatment.
