IS RO WATER RIGHT FOR YOU?
HEALTH, MINERALS & PH (PROS & CONS)
NASHVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRENTWOOD
Taste you’ll love, clarity you can see—without guessing about minerals or pH.
THE BIG PRO (PLAIN ENGLISH)
If you want the short answer: an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) water system with carbon filters takes out the stuff you don’t want to drink. That means it reduces dissolved salts (TDS), many metals like lead and arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, and today’s big concerns—PFAS “forever chemicals.”
The carbon stages also cut down the “bleach-like” chlorine taste/odor and help with chlorine by-products. Look for the NSF/ANSI 58 certification—it’s the RO performance standard backed by the EPA.
WHAT “FOREVER CHEMICALS” AND CHLORINE BY‑PRODUCTS MEAN
PFAS (FOREVER CHEMICALS):
These man-made chemicals are used in non-stick pans, stain-resistant fabrics, and water-proof coatings. They don’t break down easily. National health bodies have linked PFAS exposure to things like some cancers, fertility and development concerns, thyroid and cholesterol changes, and lower vaccine response.
In 2024, the EPA set the first national PFAS limits for drinking water. By law, utilities must monitor and reduce levels of PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion and other PFAS like PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX to 10 ppt. That’s progress—but it only covers a handful out of thousands. EPA’s own database lists more than 14,000 PFAS; OECD counts about 4,700 with CAS numbers. That’s why many families choose to add an at-home barrier like RO.
CHLORINE & BY-PRODUCTS (DBPs):
Your local utility has to add chlorine (bleach) to keep water sterile as it travels through miles of pipe. It’s effective—but chlorine reacts with natural organic matter to create disinfection by-products (like TTHMs and HAA5). EPA sets limits for long-term exposure (80 ppb TTHMs / 60 ppb HAA5). Utilities work hard to stay under those limits. Still, some families want extra reduction with carbon + RO.
WHAT THE LATEST DATA SAYS (NATIONAL & LOCAL)
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National:
The PFAS rule is law, but treatment is expensive. Industry groups estimate $37–48B in new equipment and $2.7–$3.5B/year to operate nationwide. That’s why it’s not realistic for utilities to remove every PFAS immediately at the plant. -
Local (Middle TN):
Recent water reports from Nashville (MWS), Franklin, and HVUD show PFAS as not detected in plant-level tests, and chlorine by-products measured within EPA legal limits. Nashville’s CCR even notes they “use a small amount of bleach” for disinfection.
Bottom line: Your utilities are doing the heavy lifting—delivering ~109–180 million gallons/day of bacteria-free water under strict rules. RO at the sink is the polish—turning “good” into “great” by reducing trace chemicals right where you drink. Nashville.gov
COMMON CONCERNS
(MINERALS, PH, ELECTROLYTES, “IS RO WATER HEALTHY/SAFE?”)
IS REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER GOOD FOR YOU? IS IT SAFE TO DRINK?
Yes—RO water is safe to drink when the system is certified and maintained. The CDC lists RO among effective home treatments for many dissolved contaminants; always check the model’s performance data sheet to see specific, certified reduction claims. CDC+1
DOES REVERSE OSMOSIS REMOVE MINERALS?
Yes—RO lowers calcium, magnesium, sodium, etc. That’s by design. In public drinking‑water standards, there’s no health‑based requirement to keep a minimum mineral level; pH and TDS are regulated as secondary (aesthetic) parameters for taste/corrosion control (not as primary health standards). If you prefer the taste/“mouthfeel” of mineralized water, we can remineralize reverse osmosis water (details below). US EPA+1
WHAT IS THE PH OF REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER?
Because RO water is low in minerals, it absorbs a bit of CO₂ and often reads slightly acidic (commonly in the 5.5–7 range depending on exposure and meter). That’s normal chemistry (think rainwater in equilibrium with CO₂ ~pH ~5.6–5.7). For public systems, EPA’s secondary pH guideline is 6.5–8.5—an aesthetic/corrosion range, not a health limit. If you want your glass to taste closer to neutral, add a calcite (alkaline) post‑filter. U.S. Geological Survey+1
WHAT DO DOCTORS AND MAJOR HEALTH BODIES SAY ABOUT PFAS RISKS?
National Academies and EPA studies connect PFAS exposure to certain cancers, reproductive issues, developmental effects in children, thyroid and cholesterol changes, and immune system impacts. The guidance: reduce exposure where you can. US EPA+2ATSDR+2
FLUORIDE & INFANTS:
ADA and CDC say fluoridated tap water is safe for formula, but using it exclusively may raise the chance of mild cosmetic fluorosis. Some parents alternate with low-fluoride RO water. Always ask your pediatrician what’s right for your family. CDC+1
ALKALINE REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER—REAL HEALTH BENEFIT OR HYPE?
“Alkaline” post‑filters raise pH and can adjust taste, but for generally healthy people there’s little credible clinical evidence that alkaline water provides broad health benefits versus plain RO water; major medical sources advise skepticism of disease‑prevention claims. (If you have kidney disease or electrolyte restrictions, talk to your doctor before using high‑alkaline products.) Cleveland Clinic+1
REMINERALIZATION & TASTE TUNING
- Inline filter: Adds calcium carbonate (and sometimes magnesium) back in. Smooths taste, nudges pH up.
- Mineral drops: Portable option if you want to tweak a glass at a time.
- Target range: Most families enjoy RO water set to EPA’s secondary pH range (6.5–8.5) with TDS around 15–20 ppm (from ~300 ppm in untreated tap).
LOCAL SERVICE AREA & NEXT STEP
NASHVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRENTWOOD • WILLIAMSON & DAVIDSON COUNTIES
We’ll test, configure, and install a NSF/ANSI 58 system (and WaterSense‑labeled where appropriate), then keep you on schedule so performance stays like‑new.
WATER EFFICIENCY
DO REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS WASTE WATER? WHAT’S THE WASTE RATIO?
Home RO sends a concentrate stream to the drain as it purifies your drinking water. The key number is the waste‑to‑treated ratio (sometimes written as “waste ratio”). Today there’s a clear benchmark: the EPA WaterSense® final specification (Nov 2024) requires point‑of‑use RO systems to be certified to NSF/ANSI 58, achieve ≥30% efficiency (≤2.3:1 waste‑to‑treated ratio), and meet performance criteria including ≥75% TDS reduction and a membrane‑life test for high‑efficiency systems. Labeled products must print the ratio right on their materials so you can compare. US EPA
HOW WE SET YOU UP EFFICIENTLY (FRANKLIN • NASHVILLE • BRENTWOOD)
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We spec WaterSense‑labeled RO when available (you’ll see the ≤2.3:1 ratio disclosed).
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We protect the membrane with the right carbon pre‑filter (free chlorine can damage thin‑film RO membranes), and we keep you on a filter schedule so efficiency stays high. CDC
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Prefer tankless? Many tankless RO designs now meet the WaterSense requirements and maintain ≥75% TDS reduction daily in the membrane‑life test. US EPA
RESPECT FOR YOUR LOCAL UTILITIES
Your water providers are doing the heavy lift—delivering microbiologically safe water every day under the Safe Drinking Water Act with rigorous testing and annual Consumer Confidence Reports (due by July 1 each year). Nashville alone averages ~109 million gallons/day produced and maintains a network of 3,000+ miles of mains; Franklin blends its plant water with HVUD and reports similar compliance. RO at the sink is simply the next step—from good to exactly what your family wants at the glass. Franklin, TN+3Nashville.gov+3US EPA+3
Why we say “proof‑first”: Regulations evolve. The 2024 PFAS rule shows the science moving into policy—yet it covers a small group of a very large PFAS class. Using a reverse osmosis water filter at your kitchen tap gives you control today while the standards continue to update. US EPA+1
BOOK YOUR 15-MIN WATER DISCOVERY CALL
NASHVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRENTWOOD • WILLIAMSON & DAVIDSON COUNTIES
We’ll have a quick 15 minute call to go over any questions you have and see if we are a fit.
For the fastest install, give us a call at (615) 212-8488.
QUICK PROS & CONS
PROS:
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Taste & clarity (low TDS) you can notice. CDC
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Contaminant reduction beyond typical carbon filters (e.g., lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, forever chemicals; many metals and salts—see your model’s certified claims). CDC
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Carbon + RO addresses chlorine taste/odor common in our area’s chlorinated supplies. Nashville.gov
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Efficiency options: WaterSense‑labeled systems disclose and cap waste ratio; performance verified under NSF/ANSI 58. US EPA
CONS (AND HOW WE HANDLE THEM):
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Lower minerals / slightly lower pH: If you want a “spring‑like” finish, we add a remineralization cartridge (calcite or calcite/magnesium). US EPA
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Concentrate line (waste): We choose high‑efficiency designs and maintain filters to keep the ratio in check. US EPA
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Maintenance matters: RO performance depends on timely filter changes (especially carbon) to protect the membrane. We handle the schedule and can sell you filters if you want to do the swap yourself. CDC
LOCAL TASTE NOTES
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Nashville: chlorine‑disinfected, moderately hard (~100.5 mg/L)—RO polishes taste at the sink; softening helps whole‑home scale. Nashville.gov
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Franklin (plus HVUD blend): plant hardness avg ~188 mg/L; HVUD ~103 mg/L—many families combine softening for appliances with RO for drinking. Franklin, TN
STRAIGHT ANSWERS TO SMART QUESTIONS
For healthy families, RO water is safe to drink and often preferred for taste. Its value is in reducing dissolved contaminants; if you want minerals for taste, we’ll add them back with a remineralization filter. CDC+1
RO water can measure slightly acidic because it absorbs CO₂ (similar chemistry to rainwater). That’s not a health limit; EPA’s pH guideline (6.5–8.5) is aesthetic/corrosion, not health‑based. We can tune taste with calcite. U.S. Geological Survey+1
Alkaline cartridges raise pH and can change taste, but major medical sources say evidence for broad health benefits is limited; avoid high‑alkaline products if you have kidney disease unless cleared by your clinician.
Choose WaterSense‑labeled systems (≥30% efficiency, ≤2.3:1 ratio) and keep filters on schedule to minimize waste.
LOCAL SERVICE AREA & NEXT STEP
NASHVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRENTWOOD • WILLIAMSON & DAVIDSON COUNTIES
We’ll test, configure, and install a NSF/ANSI 58 system (and WaterSense‑labeled where appropriate), then keep you on schedule so performance stays like‑new.