Reverse Osmosis for Well Water: What Does It Remove?

Reverse osmosis can reduce nitrate, arsenic, lead, uranium, sodium, TDS, and many PFAS compounds at a drinking water tap, but it does not disinfect a contaminated well or solve whole-house odor and staining.

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Tests to run

Nitrate
Arsenic
Lead
PFAS
TDS
Hardness
Iron

Next steps

Test the raw water first so the RO system is designed for actual contaminants.
Pretreat iron, manganese, hardness, or sediment if they can foul the membrane.
Replace filters and membranes on schedule.
Verify removal with post-treatment lab testing for the target contaminant.

FAQ

Does RO remove bacteria?

RO is not a substitute for well disinfection or source correction when bacteria are present.

Is RO whole house or under sink?

Most residential RO systems are point-of-use under-sink systems for drinking and cooking water.

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Interpret once on the web. Track forever in the app.

Save test history, set annual reminders, compare results over time, and create a shareable report.

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Educational guidance only. Always confirm important decisions with a certified laboratory, local health department, qualified water treatment professional, or clinician.