GE reverse osmosis water is supposed to be the “smart” choice. How smart is it to remove all the healthy minerals found naturally in all the world’s water sources, without effectively removing chemical contaminants?
Let’s be very clear. GE reverse osmosis filters do not remove chemicals. Some of their systems have an additional carbon filtration step to remove them, but the taste is still very rancid. Trace minerals or electrolytes, if you prefer, improve the taste of the water. It has a fresher flavor, more like what you would get from a mountain spring.
A GE reverse osmosis water purifier is much more expensive than a selective filtration device that will remove chemicals, lead, and cysts, without removing trace minerals. A multi-stage selective filtration device with ion exchange also balances the pH level.
Water from GE reverse osmosis filters has a pH level that is too acidic. Drinking it regularly causes indigestion and heartburn. It will aggravate existing acid reflux, and if you have any kind of digestive disorder, you should avoid drinking demineralized waters.
There are many other downsides to the GE reverse osmosis water purification system, including cost and waste.
Units are expensive to purchase and install. If a drain does not exist in the desired installation area, one must be added. The unit requires electricity. If there is no outlet in the area, one must be installed. You can see how all these extra needs could add up quickly.
But, those setup and purchase costs aren’t the only expenses. Utility bills go up, both for electricity and water. Replacing GE reverse osmosis filters costs at least $400 and, depending on where you shop, can cost up to a thousand dollars.
GE reverse osmosis filters require regular maintenance and replacement. If the filter is damaged, the unit will continue to work, but no purification will take place. So you could be ingesting contaminants when you thought you were safe.
GE reverse osmosis water systems generate gallons of wastewater. This accounts for the necessary drainage. The wastewater cannot be used for any other purpose, so it ends up in your septic or sewer system. From an economic and environmental point of view, this is a very poor choice for home purification.
Instead of GE reverse osmosis filters, consider the multi-stage unit I mentioned earlier. It is less expensive to buy. Only full-house or undercounter kitchen units require the help of a plumber to install.
Multi-stage units do not use electricity and do not generate wastewater. The cost per day for a counter unit is about ten cents. Replacement cartridges are inexpensive and easy to replace. They are not prone to leaks. They have a long shelf life and are not as delicate as reverse osmosis.
The only advantage to RO was for homeowners with a source like an open river. But these new GE reverse osmosis water purifiers are too small and inefficient for that purpose. Frankly, I don’t see how they could be the “smart” choice for anyone.
Do yourself a favor and take a look at some of the best and least expensive water filtration systems out there. I hope you discover, as I have, that you don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money to get a system that will give you everything you need.