The definitive answer to the problem of fluoride in our drinking water
AlkaWay has several solutions for fluoride in water supply, including prefilters. However the most effective long term solution is undoubtedly Reverse Osmosis technology, which removes up to 98% of fluoride, with similar rates for all other chemicals and pollutants from your drinking water.
Because Reverse Osmosis is so efficient, it also removes all minerals from the water, which actually causes it to be acidic as it draws carbon dioxide from the air on pouring.
The AlkaWay R.O. Mk.I & Mk2 Alkalizer includes an added alkalizing cartridge that replaces vital alkaline minerals into the ultrapure water after processing and before drinking.
Installed undersink, the AlkaWay R.O Alkalizer is operated from a convenient benchtop faucet. Your RO system quietly and efficiently processes and purifies your water 24/7.
You never need to even look at it except at six monthly filter replacement times.
Reverse Osmosis for the Serious Health Buyer is Reverse Osmosis?
Once you decide that you need the extreme filtration capabilities of Reverse Osmosis technology, and begin researching, odds on you’ll become very confused very quickly. How is it that some systems are so cheap while others are so expensive? What does one system do that another doesn’t? How can I make an educated decision when I’m not a water specialist?
Ian Blair Hamilton, Managing Director of ION LIFE answers your important questions.
1. What
RO, as it is known, is a filtration process typically used for water. It works by using pressure to force a solution through a membrane, retaining the solute on one side and allowing the pure solvent to pass to the other side. This is the reverse of the normal osmosis process, which is the natural movement of solvent from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration when no external pressure is applied.
2. Is a Reverse Osmosis system enough to remove all contaminants from water?
It is the most effective method available for home use. Please note that a RO system actually consists of a set of prefilters, the RO unit and a post filter. Because the RO unit is so efficient, if we used it without prefilters it would block up almost immediately, so we have a sediment and a carbon filter before the unit, and a polishing filter which alters the taste of the output RO filter.
ION LIFE also offers an additional alkalizing and energizing cartridge, known as the WellBeing cartridge, to replace the beneficial alkaline minerals that were removed from the input water, and to re-energise the water.
Actual removal rates vary but basically the RO removes at least 95% of everything except H2O.
3. What’s the difference between cheap and expensive RO systems?
Very cheap RO systems do not include a pressure vessel. The purpose of a pressure vessel is to overcome the supply problem caused by the very slow purification process of a basic RO, in which water just drips slowly from the system. The pressure vessel stores purified water and assures you of ample supply and flow rate when you need a drink. So a cheap unit will have to be installed on the bench with a hose output to a jug, and be turned off when the jug fills.
Other cheap units appear quite similar to more expensive units but are almost always built from components from one of the many Chinese manufacturers. There are many reasons not to purchase one of these systems but it all comes down to one thing: breakdown. Good 4 or 5 stage systems range from $750 up to over $1000.
Some dealers also sell cheap initially to reap their rewards with ongoing filter cartridge and RO unit replacement, which may look similar to the more expensive in replacement cost, but may vary enormously in efficiency. A cheap (to the dealer) sediment or carbon filter will still sell at prices similar to expensive filters but simply won’t do the job. Unfortunately, this will cause your RO module to break down earlier, creating even more expense.
4. What is the pH of RO water?
Without an alkalizing post-filter, a RO will deliver neutral water. However, neutral water is ionically positive and draws CO2 from the air almost immediately, which means you end up with acidic water. The level of acid pH will depend on exposure to air and level of CO2 in the air.
5. Can I install a RO system myself?
Many people do, but you will need a hole saw to cut a hole for your faucet alongside the sink, and enough experience to attach it to the cold water line and the S-Bend in the sink drainpipe. A plumber is advised.
6. What change in pH will an alkalizing WellBeing cartridge make?
pH up to 9.5 is possible depending on flow rate. The faster you allow your RO water to flow, the less time it will be in the WellBeing cartridge, and therefore the Wellbeing will have less alkalizing and energising effect on the water.
7. Can I run tap water through an Alkaliser and get Ionised and Alkalised water after the RO with a Wellbeing cartridge?
Yes. However it will not output the usual acid water because there will be no acid minerals in the water.
8. Does RO take out all Fluoride?
Manufacturers quote anything from 95-98%, but please note; they also add "up to" that percentage as a badly maintained RO will not work as quoted.
9. How much water is wasted per litre of input water?
Many years ago RO was very wasteful, outputting 9 litres of water to the waste pipe for every litre of purified water. Today’s RO systems are much more efficient, and a normal family unit’s waste water a
