For households, finding the correct RO water purifier is key to having access to safe and healthy drinking water in their own homes. Oftentimes, they have difficulty choosing an RO, UV or UF water purifier since they all function using different technologies.
Water quality can also be extremely different between different areas of the city of Lucknow. For example, one area may have a higher TDS level than another and/or contain bacteria and/or suspended particles within its water. Because of this variation in water quality, determining which type of purification technology will work best for you and your family is an important factor to consider.
In this article we provide an overview of each RO, UV and UF water purification system, how they operate and what is the best option for your home.
What Is an RO Water Purifier?
Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purifiers use a special membrane to remove impurities from water. Pressure is applied to push the water through this semi-permeable membrane. As a result, impurities are filtered out of the water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) purification is very effective at removing:
- Dissolved salts
- Heavy metals
- Harmful chemicals
- Bacteria and viruses
- High TDS (total dissolved solids)
Because of this, RO purifiers are usually recommended for homes that have higher than normal TDS levels in their drinking water supply.
When should you use an RO Water Purifier?
RO Water Purifiers should be your first choice when:
- The TDS levels of your water supply are above normal.
- You are using borewell water.
- Your water contains dissolved salts or chemicals.
RO Water Purifiers are often found in combination with other forms of filtration such as UV (ultraviolet) and UF (ultrafiltration) as part of a “Multi-Stage Purification System”. They are designed to provide clean, safe drinking water.
What Is a UV Water Purifier?
A UV purifier disinfects water using UV light and kills bacteria and viruses by damaging their DNA, preventing their ability to reproduce. UV purifiers are not able to remove salts or other chemicals from the water like an RO system and mainly focus on killing microorganisms.
Advantages of UV purifiers:
- No water is wasted in the purification process.
- The purification process is very quick.
- UV purifiers are very effective at killing viruses and bacteria.
Limitations of UV Purifiers:
- Cannot remove TDS from the water.
- Cannot remove dissolved impurities from water.
- Works best with clear water only.
UV purifiers are typically used when the incoming water has had at least some treatment prior to being treated with UV and has low TDS levels to begin with.
What Is a UF Water Purifier?
Ultrafiltration purifiers use specialised membranes to filter large particles and hard-to-access microorganisms from water. The ultrafine pores in the membrane allow water to be filtered out but prevent larger particles (and some of the harder-to-access microorganisms) from passing through.
What can be eliminated by ultrafiltration (UF)?
- Large particles that float on the surface (such as leaves or sticks)
- Any substances that are suspended (i.e., fall out of suspension at some point)
- Microorganisms and, to a lesser extent, large bacteria
Uses of ultrafiltration (UF)
Ultrafiltration does not require any power or the use of electric filtration methods. Ultrafiltration systems usually require little or no maintenance between service intervals and do not waste any water.
Limitations of ultrafiltration (UF)
Ultrafiltration cannot remove soluble solids (like salt) or water that contains large amounts of dissolved solids (high TDS levels). Ultrafiltration is also only effective in areas where the tap water has low TDS but some inadvertently included solids (like hairs or dirt).
RO vs UV vs UF Comparison Table
| Feature | RO (Reverse Osmosis) | UV (Ultraviolet) | UF (Ultrafiltration) |
| Main Technology | Semi-permeable membrane filtration | UV light disinfection | Hollow fiber membrane filtration |
| Removes TDS (Dissolved Salts) | ✔ Yes | ✘ No | ✘ No |
| Removes Bacteria & Viruses | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes (kills microorganisms) | ✔ Removes many bacteria |
| Removes Heavy Metals & Chemicals | ✔ Yes | ✘ No | ✘ No |
| Removes Suspended Particles | ✔ Yes | ✘ No | ✔ Yes |
| Electricity Required | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Water Wastage | Moderate | No | No |
| Best For | High TDS water, borewell water | Low TDS municipal water | Low TDS water with physical impurities |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low | Low |
Which One Purifier Is Best for Homes in Lucknow?
In various parts of Lucknow, often with high TDS levels, water from borewells and combined sources is frequently supplied. The safest choice for purifying this type of contaminated water is to use a Reverse Osmosis purifier that eliminates any dissolved salts, chemicals and heavy metals from the water supply.
For homes receiving treated municipal water with lower TDS levels, UV and UF will generally suffice, but an RO + UV + UF combination is the best way to ensure the safest drinking water through multiple stages of purification.
When Your RO Needs Servicing
A water purifier purifies water continuously so as to have clean drinking water all of the time; however, the filters and other parts within a water purifier can eventually build up with dirt or become of lower quality as time passes by. Therefore, regular service of the water purifier will keep it running efficiently and provide you with clean and safe drinking water.
The following are some common signs that will alert you that your water purifier needs to be serviced:
- Water Flow Slow
- Taste or Smell Bad
- Purified Water TDS High
- Water Leaking from Purifier
- Pump Making Unusual Noises
How Often Should You Service an RO Purifier?
In general, household units should be serviced every 3 to 6 months with filter (sediment and carbon type) changes, whereas the RO membrane should be changed out every twelve to eighteen months depending on the incoming water’s cleanliness.
If you’re experiencing any of the above situations with your RO purifier in Lucknow, you should look into having a technician service your unit professionally so that your unit works properly again. Lucknow RO Experts is a service provider that offers RO repairs, filter replacements, and preventative maintenance programmes for all types of Reverse Osmosis units in order to help ensure you receive clean and safe drinking water regularly.
If you are looking for RO Service Near Me in Lucknow, you can contact Lucknow RO Experts for fast repair and filter replacement service.