Difference Between RO and UV Water Purifier

The first requirement for good health is always to drink clean water. With the widespread water pollution occurring almost everywhere, tap water can no longer be a reliable source for water. There have been many incidents where people got sick because of drinking tap water. To meet this challenge, the presence of a quality water filter has become mandatory for every household.

Today, the market has different types of water purifiers that utilize different water purification techniques. So the task of finding the right water filter for home can seem daunting with the endless options present. So to make the right decision, one must know the popular water purification systems in the market before investing in it.

There are two popular types of water purification systems – the RO and UV water purifiers in the market which comes with its pros and cons.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter system

In this type of water purification system, the water molecules are made to pass through a semi-permeable membrane. So, in the end, the dissolved salts and other impurities are left behind, and only the water molecules can travel to the other side of the membrane. From this, we can understand that the RO purified water is devoid of dissolved contaminants and harmful bacteria.

Ultraviolet (UV) water filter system

As the name suggests, ultraviolet rays are utilized to destroy the harmful bacteria present in the water. The end result is disinfected water that is completely free from pathogens.

RO vs UV water purifier

Both RO and UV water purifier systems are able to kill the harmful bacteria present in the water. But other factors that need consideration before buying a water purifier. The following are the key differences present in the 2 filtration systems.

A UV filter kills all the pathogens in the water, but the problem is the dead bacteria remain in the water. The RO water purifier can kill the bacteria and remove the suspended dead bodies from the water. From this, we can see that RO purified water is a hygienic option.

The dissolved salts and chemicals in the water can be removed from an RO water purifier. On the other hand, UV water filters cannot separate the dissolved solids from the water. The health can be adversely affected by the presence of heavy metals and other chemicals present in the water, and so RO systems are more effective than UV systems in this case.

The built-in pre-filtration systems in RO systems is an added advantage that filters even dirty muddy water. In the case of UV filters, they cannot work with muddy water, and it is a requirement for the water to be clear for the bacteria to be killed. So UV filters might not be a good choice for areas with a high amount of sediments in the water.

The only requirement for RO purifiers is that they require electricity to increase water pressure. The UV filters can do their job with normal water pressure.

From the above discussion, it is evident that RO water purifiers are more efficient than UV water purifier systems, which only disinfect the water against water-borne diseases. The reliability and efficiency of the RO water purification systems outweigh UV filters, thereby making it a good choice for every household.