Is a Reverse Osmosis System Worth It?
Bottled-quality water from your tap sounds great — but is RO actually worth installing? Here's an honest look.
By True Soft Water Systems • June 10, 2026 • 4 min read
Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most effective drinking-water treatment available for the home. But is it worth installing one under your sink? Here's a straight answer.
What reverse osmosis removes
An RO system pushes water through a semipermeable membrane that filters out the vast majority of dissolved solids and contaminants, including:
- Lead and other heavy metals
- Fluoride and nitrates
- Total dissolved solids (TDS) that affect taste
- Many chemicals and impurities city filtration leaves behind
The benefits
The result is crisp, clean drinking water on tap — no plastic bottles, no hauling cases from the store, and a noticeably better taste for water, coffee, and ice. Over a few years, an RO system typically costs far less than buying bottled water.
The honest downsides
RO systems need periodic filter and membrane changes (we can handle those for you). Older units wasted a lot of water, though modern high-efficiency systems we install have dramatically reduced that. And because RO removes minerals, some people prefer adding a remineralization stage for taste — easy to include.
Who should get one?
If you buy bottled water, dislike your tap water's taste, or simply want the purest drinking water for your family, RO is almost always worth it. It pairs perfectly with a whole-home softener: the softener protects your plumbing and appliances, while the RO polishes your drinking water.
Want to know what's really in your water?
Get a free, no-obligation in-home water test from True Soft Water Systems. We'll measure your water and give you honest recommendations.