Toxin-free water for drinking and cooking, anytime! Is that what you want, too? An osmosis system filters out pollutants of all kinds from your drinking water. Find out what aspects to consider when buying an osmosis water filter here. We’ll also introduce you to a kitchen faucet that refines your drinking water with valuable minerals.
An osmosis system is a water treatment system that works using reverse osmosis technology. It effectively removes harmful substances, chemicals, salts, and other impurities from the water to create clean and safe drinking water. These systems consist of several filters and a semipermeable membrane, which the water is forced through. So even the tiniest particles are filtered out.
Osmosis systems are popular in households that appreciate, or even need, excellent water quality. They come in a range of designs, including systems with or without tanks as well as undercounter or countertop models. Each of these versions covers a different need or space requirement.
As mentioned above, an osmosis system works based on the principle of reverse osmosis: Water is forced through a semipermeable membrane at high pressure. This membrane only allows water molecules to pass through it, while larger molecules such as salts, minerals and impurities are left behind.
The process has several levels:
This creates almost 100% pure water, also known as the permeate, while the impurities (or retentate) remain on the other side of the filter.
There are various kinds of osmosis systems. They differ in their functionality, suitability and their advantages and disadvantages:
Osmosis systems with a tank system:
These systems collect water in a tank and dispense it filtered as required. They remove impurities and chemicals and store the water in the tank. They are perfect for households with higher water requirements and staggered consumption. The advantages of these systems are a constant water supply and their suitability for intermittent requirements. The disadvantages are the tank’s storage requirements and servicing needs. The acquisition costs are in the medium to high range, depending on the size of the tank. This system type is relatively easy to install and can often be done by DIY enthusiasts. The tank needs to be cleaned and the filters changed on a regular basis.
Direct-flow osmosis systems without a tank:
These systems filter water as it flows through the system, without requiring a tank. They are suitable for households with consistent water consumption and offer the advantage of not needing to store water before use. Other benefits include the system’s space-saving design and not needing to wait for the water to be ready. The disadvantages are the required higher flow pressure and the higher acquisition costs due to the advanced technology. Installation usually requires a specialist, and there may be a need for regular filter changes and pretty complex repairs.
Undercounter osmosis systems:
These systems are installed under the counter and supply filtered water. They remove impurities and are ideal for larger amounts of water. These systems are perfect for homes with vast amounts of space and people who need to continuously filter water. The advantages are the large amount of filtered water and the concealed installation. The disadvantages are the complex installation, large initial investment, and the requirement for regular servicing by an expert.
Countertop osmosis systems:
These systems are installed on the countertop and filter water in the faucet itself. They remove impurities immediately before consumption and are most suited to small or single-person households with lower water requirements. The benefits are the simple installation and mobility of the system. The disadvantages are the limited capacity and the need to change the filter regularly. The acquisition costs are in the low to medium range, and installation does not require specialist knowledge.
Choosing the right osmosis system enables you to ensure that you always have access to clean, filtered water that best meets your health and functional needs.
Osmosis systems with a tank system are great for households with varying water requirements, as they ensure a continuous water supply. Direct-flow osmosis systems are suitable for households that prefer instant water filtration without the need to store it. Undercounter osmosis systems are perfect for larger homes or businesses that need large amounts of filtered water and have space for an undercounter installation. Countertop osmosis systems are great for small households wanting a flexible and easy-to-install solution.
An osmosis system is recommended if you have contaminated and/or very hard water from the faucet. The filtered water has all pollutants removed and a neutral flavor. Some people even say it makes tea and coffee taste better. Because the osmosis water filter reduces lime content, things are easier to clean and your household appliances are spared. Criticism: Reverse osmosis systems filter all substances out of the water, possibly even important minerals. This means you should make sure there aren’t any deficiencies in your diet.
Tap water in Germany is well controlled and of drinking water quality. Nevertheless, it can contain multiple pollutants. Our groundwater can be contaminated with residues from pesticides, nitrates, and heavy metals. Bacteria and drug residues can also survive the filtering process in local waterworks.
An osmosis system in the kitchen is an effective filtration system for removing contaminants and limescale from tap water. That way, you know that you are drinking and cooking with pure water.
An osmosis water filter uses the principle of reverse osmosis. In nature, osmosis refers to the natural process in which substances are evenly distributed in water. Reverse osmosis reverses this process: At the heart of the system is an extremely fine membrane that allows only water molecules to pass through. Pre-filters remove coarse impurities from the tap water.
Conclusion: An osmosis system is recommended if you have contaminated and/or very hard tap water. The filtered water has all pollutants removed, tastes neutral, and some people even say it makes tea and coffee taste better. Because the osmosis water filter reduces lime content, things are easier to clean and your household appliances are spared. Criticism: Reverse osmosis filters all substances out of the water, possibly even important minerals. This means you should make sure there aren't any deficiencies in your diet.
Back to osmosis: There’s a large range of osmosis filters, and each system uses the principle of reverse osmosis. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the details. The filter equipment determines how durable the membrane will be. For that reason, pay attention to the manufacturer’s specifications about the quality of the installed filters.
The filter system is usually connected directly to the fresh and waste water connection under the sink. This means that the dimensions of the osmosis water filter play an important role when choosing a model. Ideally, you can have the device installed in the base cabinet under the sink. An additional faucet for the osmosis water will be mounted at your sink.
If this is a problem, you can choose a model without direct water connection; these so-called countertop units don’t require installation. However, in this case, you need to regularly fill the device and dispose of filtered waste water.
They are available with water tank or with direct flow. An osmosis system with a tank filters water and stores it. This offers the advantage direct access with no waits. The water you take out is replaced immediately, which means older and fresher water will mix. To avoid formation of germs, the tank must be emptied completely and regularly. In addition, a system with a tank requires much more space.
Direct flow systems filter the water only when it is actually needed. In this case, a booster pump transports the water through a particularly powerful membrane. However, this means you’ll have to wait a bit. Depending on the system performance, it can take a few minutes to filter a liter of water. For that reason, pay attention to the manufacturer's specifications on the speed of a system.
It is important that all reverse osmosis systems be rinsed regularly. This cleans the filters, so we advise choosing a model with an automatic rinsing function.
The ratio of osmosis water to wastewater also needs be taken into account. Modern systems have a ratio of 1:1.
In addition to installing an osmosis system, there is another efficient way to remove pollutants from tap water, softening it – and additionally enriching it with valuable minerals. This way, you get refined drinking water straight from the faucet. How does it work?
The kitchen faucet is called Aqittura M91, and it is made by hansgrohe. For cleaning and optimizing the water, a patented filter system is installed in the kitchen base cabinet. The Aqittura M91 FilterSystem clarifies and decalcifies the tap water so that it is unclouded and tasty. Activated carbon and ion exchangers serve this purpose.
In addition, the water from this kitchen faucet can be enriched with important minerals such as magnesium, potassium and sodium. Depending on individual lifestyle and needs. For this purpose, hansgrohe uses the MINTEC mineralization technology®.
The Aqittura M91 is great for households wanting clean and mineralized drinking water without having to install and maintain an elaborate osmosis system. It is particularly suitable for:
Want to learn more about the Aqittura M91? You can read more in our guide to water filters and on the Aqittura M91 product detail page. These pages offer in-depth information about the functionality, installation, and maintenance of the Aqittura M91 and help you to make the best decision for your needs.
With a direct connection osmosis system, the water is always freshly filtered and doesn’t sit around in a tank. However, you’ll have to take a certain wait time into account.