RO vs UV vs UF - Differences Among Water Purifiers. Which Water Purifier Is Best For You?

Pure and safe drinking water is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s times. If you are looking at various models and brands before buying one, you should first decide which type of purifier is ideal for you. There are three types and they are: UV water purifiers, RO water purifiers and UF water purifiers. Read on for more on the differences among the three types.

RO purifiers

Purifiers that employ reverse osmosis technology are typically used in areas where there is a high concentration of TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water. These are salts and minerals that make your drinking water hard. Reverse osmosis is a process wherein hard water is forced through a membrane to remove the salts and any kind of impurities in it. RO purifiers are ideal if you are supplied water from a bore well or if your region has a high concentration of fluorides or salts in ground water. 

UV purifiers

Ultra-violet rays are used in purifiers to remove bacteria and germs from water. UV technology has the same impact as that of boiling water for 20 minutes. A UV purifier has a UV light whose radiation kills bacteria and any microorganisms that may be present in the water. You can buy UV purifiers if you are supplied water from a water body or your municipality and is untreated. Any water-borne infections like cholera will be things of the past if you drink water that has undergone UV purification.

There are purifiers that use both UV and RO technologies in purification so both microorganisms and contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or salts are removed from the water. 

UF purifiers 

UF is ultrafiltration, a process where any impurities or particles are passed through a membrane. The process helps in separating bacteria, microorganisms or other organic contaminants. The membrane used is semi-permeable. The difference between UF and RO is that of the size of pores in the membrane. Membranes used in the RO process are smaller compared to UF. Ultrafiltration doesn’t require electricity; it instead needs pressure. However, if your water has a high concentration of TDS, you will have to use the more effective RO than UF. You can use UF in combination with other procedures and not on its own, if you have untreated water supply. 

Now that you know all the about the different kinds of purifiers, choose the one ideal for your circumstances and get access to safe drinking water. If you are in doubt, you can use a purifier that is universal, and combines all three processes.