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Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Pharmaceuticals From Water Supply?

Pharmaceuticals in the water supply is becoming a major problem in the US and other countries. Pharmaceuticals can end up in the water supply through several methods and the result is a health risk for anyone who is not filtering their tap water with a good quality water filter.

Many people have a reverse osmosis type water filter and thus think they are safe from pharmaceuticals in the water. But does reverse osmosis remove pharmaceuticals from water? Or is some of this harmful pollutant still getting through? This article takes a look at what sort of pharmaceuticals are entering the water supply and whether reverse osmosis really filters it out.

Pharmaceuticals may end up in the water supply from:

- Farm animals that ingest hormones. Also the antibiotics and veterinary medicines can pollute waterways from the animal waste. Unfortunately antibiotics are given to livestock to enhance their growth. Their manure can the wash off from the land into surface water and ground water.

- Humans that don’t metabolize all ingested medication and as such we flush the remains down the sewer system. This water is then filtered and directed back to houses. If the filtering system is not optimal then pharmaceutical traces will remain in the water.

Pharmaceuticals have been found in the water supply in various tests and studies including inside some fish and frogs, so it is certainly not a myth. Many plants use reverse osmosis systems so it is safe to say that reverse osmosis does not remove all pharmaceuticals from water. It only takes tiny particles to get through the filters and into your glass of water. Reverse osmosis simply does not use filters with a small enough membrane size to filter out all microorganisms and substances.

So how do water treatment facilities try to hide or cover up pharmaceuticals in water supply ? They use chlorine to disinfect the water! Yes, chlorine is the same substance used to clean the family swimming pool. Do you really want drink that stuff? I know I don’t!

The result of disinfecting already infected water with chlorine can result in even more contamination. Chlorine simply is unsafe to drink. Remove osmosis does not remove chlorine from the water so you will be drinking it unless you install a water filter at home.

Other pollutants in the water supply include chemicals such as those used in cosmetics, fragrances and toiletries as well as detergents and sunscreens.

In conclusion, there are multiple sources for pharmaceuticals in the water supply. Good quality water filters can provide protection for you and your family. Do your research, and find a system that meets your needs!