4 ms·

I use RO for my garden, but not for drinking. The amount of water waste for a commercial RO system is fairly large. For what it's worth the WHO also claims low

I use RO for my garden, but not for drinking. The amount of water waste for a commercial RO system is fairly large. For what it's worth the WHO also claims low TDS water long term is not good for health/intestines/kidneys. https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientschap12.pdf https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientscha... • Direct effects on the intestinal mucous membrane, metabolism and mineral homeostasis or other body functions. • Little or no intake of calcium and magnesium from low-mineral water. • Low intake of other essential elements and microelements. • Loss of calcium, magnesium and other essential elements in prepared food. • Possible increased dietary intake of toxic metals.

willis936 5y ago
Is this paper a joke? The adverse health effects they list are under the noise floor and there is no mention of the alternative being risking exposure to heavy metals with health risks far above the noise floor. Additionally, the recommendations entirely ignore the idea of remineralization. I have to wonder why they would publish such an incomplete study and conclude it with dangerous guidance.
- bastardoperator 5y ago
  Because remineralization doesn't actually work? Makes perfect sense to remove the minerals just to add them back. Many water treatment companies suggest that because reverse osmosis systems remove the minerals from water that you should add a remineralizing filter afterwards for the purpose of restoring minerals to your water. I’ve tested these filters and while the pH rose dramatically due to carbonates in the filter there were no minerals added. A number of companies use coral calcium as the remineralizing filter and it is true that coral calcium contains some 70 trace minerals. The problem is that the water passing through a filter system is not in contact with the coral calcium long enough to dissolve it. The water picks up carbonate and as a result the pH increases but essentially no minerals are added. You might see trace amounts of calcium and magnesium.
  - errcorrectcode 5y ago
    Take a multivitamin. Problem solved.
errcorrectcode 5y ago
You're worried about RO water waste when you take a shower, flush a toilet, or wash your car. Get your priorities in order. > Possible increased dietary intake of toxic metals. How? What's the proof? If I'm not eating lead paint chips or arsenic-laden American rice, where are these scary "toxins" supposedly originating from? I take a multivitamin everyday, so this is moot. FUD laundry list like telling people "masks don't work."

willis936 5y ago

Is this paper a joke? The adverse health effects they list are under the noise floor and there is no mention of the alternative being risking exposure to heavy metals with health risks far above the noise floor. Additionally, the recommendations entirely ignore the idea of remineralization. I have to wonder why they would publish such an incomplete study and conclude it with dangerous guidance.

bastardoperator 5y ago
Because remineralization doesn't actually work? Makes perfect sense to remove the minerals just to add them back. Many water treatment companies suggest that because reverse osmosis systems remove the minerals from water that you should add a remineralizing filter afterwards for the purpose of restoring minerals to your water. I’ve tested these filters and while the pH rose dramatically due to carbonates in the filter there were no minerals added. A number of companies use coral calcium as the remineralizing filter and it is true that coral calcium contains some 70 trace minerals. The problem is that the water passing through a filter system is not in contact with the coral calcium long enough to dissolve it. The water picks up carbonate and as a result the pH increases but essentially no minerals are added. You might see trace amounts of calcium and magnesium.
- errcorrectcode 5y ago
  Take a multivitamin. Problem solved.

errcorrectcode 5y ago

You're worried about RO water waste when you take a shower, flush a toilet, or wash your car. Get your priorities in order. > Possible increased dietary intake of toxic metals. How? What's the proof? If I'm not eating lead paint chips or arsenic-laden American rice, where are these scary "toxins" supposedly originating from? I take a multivitamin everyday, so this is moot. FUD laundry list like telling people "masks don't work."