The most effective way to filter water is reverse osmosis. These filters are known for their ability to treat water that is of extremely poor quality. It is able to remove contaminates such as pesticides, bacteria, heavy metals, chlorine, and chemicals. While reverse osmosis is currently utilized for household drinking water, it was originally developed in the 1950's for the purpose of making sea water safe to drink. The reverse osmosis process involves the passage of water through a semi-permeable membrane through which only pure water is able to pass, with contaminants being trapped on the other side of the filter membrane.

These filters are able to filter any water, including salt water. The military and other government agencies utilize portable reverse osmosis filters. They have been sent to third world countries where you don't always have electricity, and safe drinking water is lacking.

A portable reverse osmosis filter can be used in a variety of settings, although reverse osmosis filters are primarily utilized in residences and other buildings. The water is pushed through the filter by gravity, and there are no pumps or electricity needed.

Individuals can use portable reverse osmosis filters for many reasons. For instance, if you are traveling to a region in which the local water supply is undrinkable, you can take a portable reverse osmosis filter. You have probably heard the stories from people who come back from a vacation who have gotten very sick from the water. This is why it's a good idea if you're on a long trip to take along a portable reverse osmosis unit that's lightweight and compact. They are also great to take along when camping or hiking, since water in streams, lakes and rivers may contain bacteria or other contaminants that can be filtered out using portable reverse osmosis.

If you intend to filter tap water with a portable reverse osmosis unit, make sure that you secure one that will filter the various contaminants frequently present in the residential water supply. While reverse osmosis filters can do a very good job of filtering out bacteria and similar toxins, you also need to get a filter that can remove toxins like iron, chlorine and lead. A reverse osmosis filter is a filter designed to capture items like rust and sediment. Next the water goes through a finer filter designed to nab smaller contaminants, as well as a carbon filter for chemicals, chlorine, metal, and fluorides, among many other substances in your water.