Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: Cost, Health, and More

At least 1.1 million!

That’s the number of Americans getting sick each year from germs in drinking water. [Source: CDC] 

It’s pretty much 1 in every 300 people. 

Water in New Jersey is always an issue. Municipal and bottled brands might claim water to be pure after “filtering” it. However, it’s not always pure, and the number of victims here is the proof.

To reboot, the first thing you and your home need is an advanced water filtration system, such as Reverse Osmosis. 

This tech helps make water pure over 95%. Also, the device does it in front of you. 

Not just this! RO system has several perks that make it better than bottled water. 

This includes–

• Smoother taste
• Fresh-smelling 
• Crystal clear
• Eco-friendly 
• Cost efficiency 

Are you still torn between Reverse Osmosis and Bottled Water? Let's clarify the confusion, like how RO clears water. 

Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: See The Difference At A Glance

Factors	Reverse Osmosis Water	Bottled Water
Water Purity	Always High	Varies
Cost	Cost Effective	Cost Intensive
Environmental Impact	Eco-friendly	Harms nature
Convenience	Requires installation	Readily available
Health benefits	Purified water keeps health safer	Some impurities might affect the stomach and skin
Upkeep	Periodic	No upkeep
Taste	Smooth	Often bitter and chemical
Smell	Fresh, neutral	Often chlorine like
Quality control	Highly consistent	Varies, often neglected

Find out how Reverse Osmosis transforms New Jersey's water into a safer, purer, and more cost-effective solution for your family.

What Is Reverse Osmosis and How Does It Work?

A water treatment method to keep the bad at bay. 

Reverse osmosis is an interesting technology. It uses ultra-high pressure and pushes water through a special filter to remove contaminants. 

The filter, a semi-permeable membrane, blocks the majority of impurities and lets cleaner water flow through. 

It targets specific contaminants like– 

Dissolved salts

Calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and sulfates.

Chemicals 

Nitrate, chlorine, and fluorine. Pesticides, and herbicides.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Benzene and toluene.

Heavy metals

Lead, chromium, and copper.

Biological contaminants

Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Particulate matter

Sediment, silt, and other suspended solids. 

Radiological elements

Radium and uranium.

In simplest words, RO separates water molecules from all these substances with a membrane. The filter allows only water molecules to pass. 

So, you’re left with safer, healthier water.

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work? 

The process involves multiple stages.

Pre-Filtration

Water goes through pre-filters first. They remove bigger particles and chemicals like chlorine that can damage the membrane. 

Semi-Permeable Membrane 

The somewhat filtered water goes through the Reverse Osmosis membrane under pressure. This filter removes up to 95+% of impurities, whether bigger or smaller. 

Post Filtration 

After this process, water might pass through extra filters, like carbon filters. These help polish off any remaining weird tastes and odors. 

Storage

Finally, the purer water is stored in a tank, which flows to your faucet. 

5 Major Reasons RO Filtration Technology Is a Must For New Jersey Households

1. 95+% Water Purity

The membrane in RO tech helps remove over 95% of impurities. 

It includes chemicals, salts, VOCs, heavy metals, microbes, particulate matter, and many other pathogens. All these affect water quality, health, and household items. 

With RO tech, the device blocks these contaminants. And consequently, it results in cleaner water and surpasses the quality of typical tap or bottled water.

2. Fresher Taste and Smell

Every sip feels refreshing. 

Reverse Osmosis water tastes, smells, and feels way better. It’s because of the separation process. 

Minerals like calcium and chemicals like chlorine cause water to have a bitter to salty note and a rotten egg odor. Sometimes, you may get a metallic taste because of metal leaching. 

The purification method helps filter out those substances and improve the water quality. You get a neutral, smooth taste and fresh smell from water that enhances the drinking experience. 

3. Cost-Efficiency 

It’s easy on the pocket. 

The price of RO might feel intimidating initially. 

But in the long run, it’s cost-effective. How? 

A good water filtration system typically costs around $200-$300. But you’re paying for the system once and then enjoying its benefits. 

As per HomeGuide–

“RO water costs around $0.03 to $0.10 per gallon.”

Because the tech uses less energy and has durable filters that eliminate the need for frequent replacements, it cuts overall costs.

4. Health Perks

Feel better with the Reverse Osmosis System. 

Impurities in the water can bring multiple health issues. These include– 

• Skin irritation
• Birth defects
• Damage to the liver, stomach, kidneys, nose, eyes, throat, and lungs

The technology eliminates those contaminants and reduces the risk of health hazards. Eventually, it keeps you safer from toxins.

5. Eco-Friendly Effects

This low-key supports the environment. 

The goal of Reverse Osmosis systems is simple– 

• This encourages you to use filtered tap water and reduce plastic bottles. 

As you reduce plastic waste, the tech eventually helps protect nature, making the RO system a sustainable choice.

Studies have already pointed out that–

“Reverse osmosis has several advantages. One is to remove emerging compounds including Microplastics.”

Plus, the energy efficiency of such devices contributes to their sustainability. 

Consequently, you get an effective and eco-friendly solution from the RO filter for long-term water needs.

3 Disadvantages of Bottled Water

1. High Costs Over Time

Bottled water doesn’t cost much. It’s true if you buy it once. 

But over time, the cumulative costs can go higher. Let’s say–

You’ve bought a water bottle for $1-$3. If you have 4 members in your family and each drinks one bottle daily, this might total $1000-$3300 a year! 

This is pretty expensive.

2. Negative Environmental Impact

Having a water bottle can upset the environment. 

A stat by Earth Day mentions that– “Americans buy about 50 billion water bottles per year.”

Most bottles are made of PET plastic. Producing such materials requires a significant amount of energy resources, such as fossil fuels, and the recycling rates for these plastics are extremely low. 

Moreover, many plastic water bottles end up in landfills—or worse, in the ocean, contributing to pollution problems. 

All these lead to harming the environment and cause–

• Air pollution
• Water pollution 
• Climate change 

3. Lack of Transparency

Bottled water may look clear but lacks credibility. 

Sadly, several water bottles don’t come from pristine springs or aquifers that most expect. Instead, reports say they are sourced from tap water. 

Although the water goes through purification to some extent, some impurities linger. 

Moreover, bottled water often possesses contaminants like chlorine. Even after a standard level of purification, some remain in the water. This is one reason you get a chemical-like, bitter taste out of it. Such signs are bad.  

A study by EWG has assessed 10 popular water bottle brands and revealed that–

“Industrial chemicals, bacteria, and byproducts were found in the bottled water.”

This shows the absence of regulation and raises doubt about their transparency. 

Why Is Reverse Osmosis the Better Choice?

Purity and Health Benefits

Removal of contaminants like lead, chlorine, and heavy metals.

Long-Term Cost Savings

One-time investment and minimal maintenance costs.

Eco-Friendly Solution

Reduction of single-use plastics and environmental conservation.

Comparing RO Systems and Bottled Water: What Were Our Key Metrics?

Cost Efficiency

Let’s do some maths here. 

Typically, buying bottled water every day can cost more over time. 

An article covered in Yahoo mentions that-

“Bottled water costs $1.55 a gallon in New Jersey.” 

This looks cheap but can become expensive in the long run after you add up the total cost. 

The price range of Reverse osmosis goes from $100 to over $500 depending on features and brands. But this is a one-time investment. 

After that, you just need to replace the filter twice a year. Even drinking water won’t cost that much, although it might be as high as $0.3. 

So, it sums up like this– 

Factors	Reverse Osmosis	Bottled Water
Cost/gallon	$0.1-0.3	$1.55
Setup Cost	$100-$500	No setup cost
Ongoing Costs	Filter replacement ($50-100)	Regular bottle purchases
Total Annual Cost	$100 to $300 (water+filters)	$565 (1 gallon/day)

Result: Reverse Osmosis Wins. 

Water Quality

Here, keep your 2 senses active– taste and smell. 

It’s hard to identify the water quality with your eyes. Thus, you need your tongue and nose for the job. 

Both bottled and RO waters look clean. However, 

With RO tech, you get live proof of how it purifies your water. The filter blocks large, small, and invisible impurities that affect the taste and smell of your water. 

Once purified, the water quality improves, and you can enjoy crisp, smooth, and fresh-smelling water from the RO filter. 

The scenario is different with water bottles. First, it’s hard to know the water source, although most come from the tap.

Brands might filter tap water and sell it as pure, but the taste and smell give it away. Sometimes, bottled water has a bitter taste and a chemical-like smell. This is mostly because of the chlorine, minerals, and plastic leaching. 

Water bottle companies typically use standard water filters, and such processes can’t filter most impurities. Consequently, this affects the quality, and you get such taste and smell. 

Result: Reverse Osmosis Wins. 

Environmental Impact

Which one’s a friend of nature?

Reverse osmosis doesn’t have much involvement with plastics. Instead, it works to reduce the use of plastic bottles.

Such materials are notorious for harming the environment. They use fossil fuels and other energy sources in production which results in pollution and climate change. 

Most bottles end up in landfills and the ocean. From there, they get mixed with nature which further suffers from consequences like– 

• Global warming 
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Sea-level rise and flood

RO water eliminates these issues. It reduces plastic use– making it a sustainable option. 

Moreover, RO releases around 0.08 to 4.3kg of carbon dioxide per cubic meter of water. This seems like a lot, but it’s a one-time emission from filtering. 

On the other hand, each 500ml water bottle releases 0.8kg of carbon dioxide. Since the bottle involves constant production, it eventually releases more carbon footprint in the long run than the RO system. 

This makes RO a more eco-friendly technique. 

Result: Reverse Osmosis Wins.

How to Get Started with a Reverse Osmosis System?

Installation

Most RO systems come with installation kits in the package. There should also be a clear instruction manual. 

Assemble them by following the guidelines. 

Make sure there is space under your sink to fit the RO device. If DIY isn’t your thing, call our experts at NJ Water Systems. 

Regular Filter Changes

It depends on your usage and the water quality of the source/neighborhood. 

Typically, you need to change the filter twice a year. It’ll be better to set a reminder to keep track. 

Check Membrane and System Efficiency

Every 2 years, we suggest you check on the entire device. 

Assess the RO membrane, tubes, and other parts.

If the water quality isn’t that great, get a new membrane. 

We suggest replacing the membrane every 2-5 years. 

Other Maintenance

Keep the system’s storage tank and faucet clean. 

This helps you avoid any buildup that might affect the quality.

Ditch Bottled Water – Get Pure, Affordable Reverse Osmosis Water Today!

Stop spending money on bottled water! With a reverse osmosis system, you can enjoy clean, great-tasting water right from your tap—without the plastic waste or high costs. Book a free water quality test with NJ Water Systems and discover the best filtration solution for your home.

📍 Visit us today or schedule your consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is reverse osmosis, and how does it work?

A sophisticated water treatment tech.

Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane and filters over 95% of impurities, allowing pure water molecules to pass through.  

Is reverse osmosis water healthier than bottled water?

Of course! 

Reverse osmosis water can be over 95% pure. 

Meanwhile, bottled water might have some impurities left that can degrade water quality. This makes RO water healthier than the other.  

How much can I save with a reverse osmosis system?

Expect from $100-$2000. 

Switching to a reverse osmosis system can help you save over $300-400 a year. However, it depends on the water consumption.

What are the environmental benefits of using RO water?

Low carbon footprint and reduction of plastic bottles. 

These two are the prominent environmental benefits of using RO water.

Is reverse osmosis water safe for babies?

Yes. Babies, even infants can drink reverse osmosis water. 

RO water is highly purified and free from harmful substances– making it safe for babies. However, it’s better to consult your pediatrician for recommendations, particularly infant formula.