When it comes to water, RO is unfortunately a popular option. And this very popularity comes at a terrible cost to its consumers, while the financial expenses are partly what makes up this “cost”, other humongous sacrifices are being made too when drinking RO water.
What RO water is in simple terms is how Brij Mohan Sharma of The Society of Pollution and Environment Conservation Scientists (SPECS) described it in a Down To Earth article, “It is dead water. It can be used in batteries but not for drinking”.
RO systems filter out the bad along with the good, and while that may sound like an acceptable result to some, there are 3 major reasons why the thought of drinking RO water should be scary instead.
Reason 1: Installation Cost & Maintenance
The most obvious issue with RO systems is their costs. And not just of buying one but also of the maintenance costs that keep adding up.
For how much the expenses are, they don’t offer enough in return, not enough to justify the costs. And unfortunately, it’s worse than just that, on top of all that they are quite detrimental as well.
Reason 2: Health Concerns
The damages drinking RO water causes to one’s health are quite terrible, and the extent of which in some cases is even surprising.
RO water has a low TDS, and although its consumers consider it to be “purified water” Rajesh Singh from the National Institute of Hydrology explains in an article that “Water with low TDS is called ‘hungry water’. Drinking two glasses of such water will not make any immediate difference but will gradually absorb the enzymes and minerals already present in the body. This can cause problems like diarrhoea.”
Also, RO water has been observed to cause cardiovascular disorders, tiredness, weakness or muscular cramps—this indicates acute magnesium (and possibly calcium) deficiency.
The matter of what one drinks is more significant than one might think. It has a great impact on the body.
An August 2023 study published in the Journal of the Indian Medical Association analysed the health condition of 2609 participants among 720 households in Vadodara. They found that there was a “statistically significant association between RO water usage and joint pain”.
The RO or reverse osmosis process removes the minerals in water and affects its pH. It turns the water acidic, and a low pH (or acidic) nature in water makes it quite corrosive for plumbing systems and can strip lead and copper from pipes, adding those toxic metals into the water. Nothing about that sounds as though the end product is purified water.
What’s the point of removing everything from water when the resulting product ends up finding toxicity to contaminate itself with anyway?
The repercussions of depleting minerals in water include fatigue and compromised immunity in its consumers.
A study published by the International Journal of Applied Chemistry stated that “drinking water low in magnesium for the long term can cause increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, risks of motor neuronal disease, pregnancy disorder etc”.
It also found that consuming water deficient in calcium, can over the long term lead to a “ high risk of fracture in children, certain neurodegenerative diseases, preterm and low weight birth”.
Reason 3: Water Wastage
But the issues with RO don’t end there. RO systems waste between 3 to as much as 20 times the amount of processed water they produce.
Quite a shocking number. Drinking RO water is synonymous with damaging the environment, and for homeowners, this also means significantly higher water bills.
The wasted water is disposed of as brine aka contaminants with a large portion of water. It is concentrated and if it seeps into the groundwater or enters natural water bodies, it can potentially harm ecosystems due to its high salt and contaminant content.
In other words, RO isn’t sustainable.
What’s The Better Alternative?
While the allure of RO systems might be strong due to their perceived ability to purify water, the reality is far more complex and concerning. The financial burden, health risks, and environmental impact associated with the choice of drinking RO water cannot be overlooked. The removal of essential minerals, the alteration of water's pH levels, and the sheer wastage of water are not merely minor drawbacks—they represent significant and potentially harmful consequences for both individuals and the environment.
This is where Hege - Natural Mineral Water stands out as a superior alternative. Unlike RO water, Hege is naturally enriched with essential minerals, ensuring that every sip contributes positively to your health. It is sourced from a closed aquifer that receives its water from the Himalayas, in other words, it is pure and protected from contaminants.
Moreover, Hege’s commitment to sustainability aligns with a growing awareness of the importance of protecting our planet’s resources. Unlike the vast water wastage associated with RO systems, Hege’s approach ensures that nature’s purity is preserved and responsibly shared.
Choosing Hege is not just about opting for better water; it’s about making a conscious decision for your health and the environment. It’s about trusting in the natural processes that have sustained life for millennia, rather than relying on artificial and harmful methods. In a world where health and sustainability are increasingly becoming paramount, Hege - Natural Mineral Water offers a refreshing and responsible choice.