Is a Reverse Osmosis System Worth It?

For many homeowners, a reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration system is worth the investment. An RO system provides exceptionally pure, great-tasting water by removing a broad range of contaminants. 

If you’re in New England like us at Heritage, an RO can be a big advantage since well water in states like New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts can contain impurities like arsenic or nitrates.

While it’s not a necessity for every single household, RO filtration offers peace of mind and tangible benefits (health, taste, convenience) that often outweigh the downsides for homeowners who are concerned about water quality. 

Below, we break down the pros and cons, compare RO to other options, answer common questions, and explore whether an RO system makes sense for your home.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

Reverse osmosis is widely considered one of the most effective methods for purifying drinking water. It forces water through an ultra-fine membrane, filtering out up to 99% of common contaminants, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, chloride, fluoride, and more. The result is water that is exceptionally pure—in fact, the same quality or better than many premium bottled waters. This purity is especially valuable in New England, where many private wells have naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic and high nitrates that standard filters can’t fully remove. An RO system adds a layer of protection by eliminating those unwanted substances, giving you safe drinking water right from the tap.

Health Benefits & Peace of Mind

Homeowners are often amazed at how much better their water tastes after installing RO. By stripping out chlorine, sulfur odors, dissolved solids, and other impurities, RO tends to produce water that tastes fresh and clean, with no aftertaste. Many restaurants actually use RO-purified water for cooking and beverages because it gives a purer flavor. You might find that you and your family drink more water (and fewer sugary drinks) simply because the RO water is more enjoyable.

Bottled Water Quality Without the Cost and Waste

Many people buy bottled water or use water delivery because they don’t trust their tap water. An RO system lets you produce that same high-quality water at home, which can save money in the long run. Once installed, an under-sink RO system provides clean water for just pennies per gallon, far cheaper than continually buying bottled water. It’s also eco-friendly (Americans throw away 50 billion water bottles every year). Over time, the convenience and savings of having essentially “bottled-quality” water on demand is a major benefit for RO owners.

Issues Local to New England

In New England, water can pose some unique challenges—and RO is well-suited to tackle many of them. Have a bedrock well with arsenic or uranium? RO can bring those contaminants down to safe levels. Rely on a shallow well that’s prone to nitrates from farm runoff? RO is one of the most practical solutions for nitrate removal. 

Even on municipal water, which often has chlorine, chloramines, or fluoride added, an RO system will strip out those additives and any byproducts, delivering cleaner water than what comes straight from the city supply. If your water has an unpleasant taste or known contaminants, RO filtration is a comprehensive fix that targets a wide spectrum of water quality problems at once.

Are There Any Drawbacks or Concerns with RO Systems?

No home upgrade is perfect, and reverse osmosis systems have a few important considerations:

Water Waste

Reverse osmosis isn’t fully efficient. Typically, an under-sink system sends about 3–4 gallons of water to waste for every gallon purified, meaning roughly 20–30% efficiency. Although newer, high-efficiency models reduce this waste significantly (up to 50% or more), some water loss remains inherent in the process. Homeowners concerned about waste may choose to repurpose the discharged water for non-drinking purposes, such as watering plants or flushing toilets.

Mineral Removal 

RO removes both harmful contaminants (like lead and arsenic) and beneficial minerals (calcium and magnesium). Despite myths, major health authorities confirm that RO water is safe. Nutrients primarily come from your diet, not drinking water, but the absence of minerals can result in a slightly flat taste. For those who prefer mineralized water, adding a remineralization cartridge or mineral drops can restore flavor.

Slower Flow and Storage Tank

RO water doesn’t flow as fast as regular tap water because it relies on a small storage tank that fills gradually. Standard under-sink units deliver water at around 0.5 gallons per minute, sufficient for drinking and cooking but possibly inadequate for high-volume, continuous usage. Larger families or homes requiring greater water volumes might need higher-capacity tanks or tankless high-flow systems. These systems also require maintenance.

Is It Healthy to Drink Reverse Osmosis Water

This common concern stems from misconceptions about reverse osmosis (RO) water being “too pure” or lacking essential minerals. Drinking RO water is perfectly healthy for most people, often healthier than regular tap water because it removes potentially harmful contaminants.

While it’s true that RO removes minerals like calcium and magnesium, the idea that this poses a health risk is a myth. Your body primarily obtains essential minerals through diet, not drinking water. Major health authorities confirm that consuming demineralized water will not cause mineral deficiencies or leach minerals from your body. If the taste of mineral-free water isn’t appealing to you, it’s easy to remineralize the water with a cartridge or mineral drops. 

Additionally, although RO water might have a slightly acidic pH due to the absence of minerals, this acidity is negligible and neutralized immediately upon reaching your stomach. Ultimately, the significant health benefit of removing harmful contaminants like lead or pesticides far outweighs concerns about losing trace minerals.

Is a Reverse Osmosis System Right for You?

In the end, deciding whether a reverse osmosis system is worth it comes down to evaluating your water quality needs and how much you value the benefits we’ve outlined. For many homeowners in New England, especially those with private wells or specific water concerns, an RO system offers tremendous advantages, from superior taste and purity to peace of mind against contaminants. It effectively acts as an insurance policy for your drinking water, ensuring that what you consume is free of almost all impurities. 

If you’re interested in exploring a reverse osmosis system, it’s a great idea to start with a professional water test. Heritage Home Service offers expert water testing and can help interpret the results to see if RO is the right solution for your situation. Our team has helped homeowners all across NH, MA, and ME install the ideal water filtration setups for their needs. We pride ourselves on making the process easy and transparent, with no hard sells—just honest guidance on improving your water quality. 

Clean, healthy water is fundamental to a comfortable home. If the benefits of reverse osmosis sound appealing, consider reaching out to Heritage Home Service for a consultation. We can answer any further questions and, if you choose, provide a seamless installation of a new RO system. With the right filtration in place, you’ll be able to tap into fresh, purified water every day—truly a refreshing upgrade for you and your family.