Since you’re here, you’ve probably heard the rumors that reverse osmosis water is banned in Europe.
So, is this true? The short answer is no, RO water is not banned in Europe. The more interesting questions are:
Where did these rumors come from? Is it banned anywhere? Could it be banned in Europe in the future?
Today we want to take a deep dive into all of these questions.
Is RO Water Banned Anywhere?
RO water isn’t fully banned anywhere in the world. However, in India, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has placed some restrictions on the use of RO filter systems.
The main restriction is that RO systems can’t be used in areas where the water contains less than 500 milligrams of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) per liter.
The reason for this is the volume of water that RO systems waste, which was found to be depleting groundwater resources in parts of India. It was also linked with environmental pollution as it wasn’t being disposed of properly.
So, why are there rumors online about RO water being banned in Europe? Well, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact answer, but it’s probably because people are concerned about the potential downsides of RO filtration.
Additionally, the NGT restrictions in India have likely fueled speculation that similar restrictions could be put in place in Europe.
What Are The Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis?
To get a better understanding of where these rumors have come from, we’re going to take a look at the disadvantages of RO systems.
Wastewater
The main disadvantage of reverse osmosis is that the systems produce a significant amount of wastewater. In many cases, 70% to 80% of the water used is rejected and flushed down the drain.
In reverse osmosis systems, every 1 gallon of purified water results in 3 to 5 gallons of wastewater. This number increases over time as the membrane used in the RO process wears out or gets clogged up.
But this doesn’t tell the whole story. Some modern RO water treatment systems reintroduce the water into the system for other uses. In these systems, known as zero waste, the water is used for different needs like washing dishes or showering, so it doesn’t go to waste.
Hopefully, these systems will become more prevalent over time, and the wastewater concern will become a thing of the past.
Low Mineral Content
Another disadvantage of RO water is its low mineral content. This is because RO systems remove beneficial minerals from water alongside contaminants like bacteria and heavy metals.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water that has been stripped of its mineral content can contribute to magnesium and calcium deficiency.
The solution is to remineralize water treated by reverse osmosis. Some RO systems already have this feature, which reintroduces necessary minerals into the purified water. In these cases, you don’t need to be concerned about the low mineral content.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this might not be a serious concern if you have a balanced diet. Some of your mineral intake can come from water, but that shouldn’t be your only source.
Acidic pH
Reverse osmosis removes dissolved minerals from water, which slightly lowers its pH. As a result, RO water tends to be more acidic than untreated water. In reality, this shouldn’t pose any health risks as long as your drinking water is within the 6.5 to 8 pH range recommended by the EPA. Thankfully, RO water is usually within this range.
If this is the case, why do people view this as a downside of RO water?
One reason is that alkaline water has become very popular in recent years due to its potential health benefits. When some people hear that RO water is slightly acidic, they assume it must be bad for you.
But, as we shared, this isn’t usually the case as the effect of RO on pH is very minimal. Still, it has led to a mistrust in RO water for some.
Not Necessary
Finally, water treatment is unnecessary in some places and wastes precious water resources (the reason for the restrictions in India). When you live in an area that provides purified water that is safe for drinking, using RO systems simply wastes water.
Understandably, some people want to ensure their water is of the best quality. But we have to consider the health of all those around us, too. And if we’re needlessly throwing water down the drain, that is not beneficial for the environment or society.
Will RO Water be Banned in Europe in the Future?
Of course, we can’t say with 100% certainty that RO water won’t be banned in Europe in the future. However, we can say that it’s highly unlikely.
Currently, RO water is widely used in Europe, and RO filter systems are commonly found in commercial and domestic settings all over the continent. There are also no indications from any European governments or environmental bodies that RO water is likely to be banned.
Yet, water scarcity is increasingly an issue in many parts of Europe. So, if this trend continues, it’s possible that RO water could be restricted or even banned at some point in an effort to preserve Europe’s water resources. Still, it doesn’t seem likely that this will be an issue anytime soon.
