Reverse Osmosis Systems & Water Purifiers

Discover the Power of Water Purification Through Reverse Osmosis

Why You Might Wish To Consider Water Purification?

As the internet has evolved, so too has public awareness of water contamination – and it’s growing all the time.

Across the UK, our water is recycled and treated by regional water suppliers, time and again, but to very high safety standards.

Did you know?

While not from any specific scientific paper that I can find, there is a thought-provoking statement used by science communicators, educators, and environmentalists to get people thinking about how recycled our water really is.

The idea is:

• Earth has a closed water system — we’re not getting new water from space (barring a comet or two!), and it doesn’t leave.
• All water gets recycled continuously through evaporation, condensation, rainfall, groundwater flow, and – yes – passing through living beings, including animals and humans.
• So, statistically speaking, the water you drink very likely has been through numerous organisms, including  – so they say – at least 6 sets of kidneys, at some point in its history, and more so in built-up areas where the water is treated directly from the water treatment plants and not from reservoirs.

So, I guess it’s a provocative-but-playful exaggeration meant to get people to appreciate water treatment, purification systems (like RO!), and the miraculous nature of Earth’s recycling systems.

In my opinion, many of these comments are driven by profit rather than by the goal of providing the right water quality for consumers. That said, we live in our own homes, and we each have the right to make the decision that feels right for us.

How Reverse Osmosis Works – And What It Removes

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most powerful and proven methods for purifying water. It’s trusted not just in homes, but also in hospitals, dental surgeries, laboratories, window-cleaning setups, and even food and drink manufacturing — wherever water needs to be reliably clean and safe.

So how does it work?

The magic is done within an ultra-fine membrane — like a high-tech microscopic strainer — that filters water at the molecular level. As water is pushed through this membrane under pressure, impurities are trapped and rejected to drain, leaving you with only the purest water at your tap.

The purified water (typically 97.9% free of contaminants) flows directly to your dedicated drinking tap or 3-way kitchen tap. And in more specialist applications, such as dental and medical clinics, high-precision manufacturing, and window cleaning, that figure will rise to as much as 99.9% purity.

What Exactly Does RO Remove?

Reverse osmosis removes an incredible range of contaminants — many of which we’d rather not be drinking.

Here’s a full list of common impurities removed by a typical residential RO system, along with approximate removal rates:

• Fluoride: 85–92%
• Lead: 95–98%
• Chlorine: 98%
• Pesticides: up to 99%
• Nitrates: 60–75%
• Sulfate: 96–98%
• Calcium: 94–98%
• Phosphate: 96–98%
• Arsenic: 92–96%
• Nickel: 96–98%
• Mercury: 95–98%
• Sodium: 85–94%
• Barium: 95–98%
• Potassium: 85–95%
• Iron: 94–98%
• Zinc: 95–98%
• Forever chemicals (PFOS): 90–99%
• Magnesium: 94–98%
• Cadmium: 95–98%
• Cyanide: 85–92%

These figures speak for themselves — it’s easy to see why reverse osmosis is trusted not just in homes, but in industries where ultra-pure water is absolutely essential.

Do We Really Need Those Minerals in Our Water?

It’s a common question — but here’s a simple truth.

We get almost all the essential minerals our bodies need from our food, not from drinking water.

Take calcium, for example — it’s far better sourced from:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt
• Dark green leafy vegetables (hello spinach and kale!)
• Nuts, seeds, and beans
• And even everyday favourites like cereals and bread, which are often fortified with extra minerals

In fact, the trace amounts found in water (especially after filtering) play a tiny role compared to the amounts in our diets.

And here’s something I’ve noticed over the years — many of our customers working in healthcare (including dentists and doctors ) choose to install reverse osmosis systems in their own homes. That speaks volumes…

Even the experts are taking extra care with the water they and their families drink.

Understanding RO Filters – And How to Keep Running Costs Down

Every reverse osmosis system uses a series of filters to clean and purify your water. These work in stages:

• Stages 1, 2, and 3 are called pre-filters — they remove sediment, chlorine, initial taste and odour. Their main job? To protect the membrane (stage 4).
• Stage 4 - The membrane, which does the real heavy lifting when it comes to purification.
• Stage 5 – The polishing filter – to remove the metallic or bitter taste that can sometimes occur when everything is stripped from the water, making it palatable to drink.
• Stage 6 – There can sometimes be an extra stage, which is a remineralising filter – but let's talk about that a little bit later on.

Because the membrane is both the hardest-working and most expensive part to replace, keeping it in good shape is essential.

The Best Way to Protect Your RO Membrane?

Install it on softened water.

• On hard water, a membrane typically lasts around 3 years.
• On softened water, membrane life can treble — often lasting 7-10 years, or even longer! This is because there is no chalk in the water, which can clog the membrane rapidly.

That’s a huge saving in both maintenance costs and hassle over time.

A Note on Filter Types and Costs

When it comes to filters, more isn’t always better.

• On budget RO systems, you’ll often find more stages, which means higher running costs with more filters to replace each year. (IMPORTANT NOTE: As of 2025, we have removed these systems from our site due to a change in manufacturing processes – this has meant we have seen a reduction in water quality that now fails our 3rd point on our product selection Litmus Test, which is "Consistently High Water Quality". This means our list of products is now reduced, but we can assure you of high-quality drinking water.)
• On premium systems, the design is usually smarter:
  • Fewer stages (often just 3 or 4)
  • Higher-quality filters
  • Longer intervals between replacements

What About Remineralising Filters?

Sometimes, you might be advised — usually by other companies — to add a sixth filter to your RO system called a “remineralising filter" .

The idea behind it is simple: it adds a small amount of calcium and magnesium back into your purified water.

But here’s the truth

No matter how it’s packaged or pitched, it’s really just a block of chalk inside a plastic casing.

As a rule, I don’t usually recommend remineralising filters — unless a customer specifically tells me they want to change the taste of their water back to that familiar “hard water” flavour.

Just like some people find softened water can taste a little 'sweeter', RO water can taste too 'pure' for certain palates. A remineralising filter can give it a “fuller” or “more earthy” flavour — that’s how some of our customers have described it.

It can, interestingly, be a great way to get back the hard water taste if you're just not getting on with softened water – you get the best of both worlds, but in those circumstances, I would recommend an inline filter and then the remineralising filter.

But it’s important to know

• While it might tweak the flavour, it will leave a chalky residue — so you’ll likely see scum on hot drinks and a bit of scaling in your kettle.
• And the actual amount of minerals added back? It’s so tiny, you’d need to drink around 30 litres a day for it to make any real nutritional difference.

In short

Remineralising filters tend to benefit the companies selling them far more than they benefit you.

(And I’d much rather help you spend your money wisely.)

Explore Our Reverse Osmosis System Range

Summary & Inspiration

Using this guide will help you choose the right reverse osmosis system for your home or business.

Reverse osmosis is one of the most powerful and trusted ways to enjoy water that’s not just clean — but clinically clean.

Whether you’re after a simple upgrade or something a little more advanced, there’s an RO system to suit your space, lifestyle, and water quality needs.

🌿 High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

For those who want the very best in water purification, high-efficiency RO systems offer a smarter, more practical and sustainable choice.

In traditional RO systems, for every 1 litre of purified water, as much as 12 litres can be lost to waste — especially in colder months. By contrast, our high-efficiency models are engineered to minimise water loss, maximise output, and reduce running costs over time.

They’re ideal for:

• Households using RO every day
• Anyone concerned about waste or water bills
• Those who simply want better technology and lasting value

Whether you’re starting with an efficient entry-level model or investing in one of our exceptional premium systems like the Profine Zero or Kinetico Bolt, you’ll be choosing cutting-edge design, reliable performance, and a cleaner environmental footprint.

👇 Explore the models below to find the one that suits your household or business best.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Before you explore our range, you might be curious why we don't have cheaper models.

The truth is, we used to, for years. But something has changed in the last year or two, and we are struggling to put our finger on it.

The water quality starts off okay, but deteriorates quickly (much sooner than we would typically expect), increasing the customer's running costs significantly.

So, after several issues, we have decided to focus only on the machines that work consistently, time after time. This meets point 3 of our 4-Point Litmus Test – Consistent water Quality.

So the following are the best in our view:

Option A:  Profine ZERO Professional Series – 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

This system is powerful, incredibly efficient, and operates without electricity. It is our absolute favourite — if you’re looking for the best in water purification, this is it.

The Profine ZERO Professional is a seriously impressive reverse osmosis system — delivering up to 3 litres of pure water per minute, with no pump, no electrics, and no storage tank required.

The Professional model runs entirely on water pressure, using a ultra advanced patented hydrophore system, and performs at a level that few domestic RO units can even dream of.

It's very rare to find professional-grade quality at a price suitable for the domestic market.

💬 Customers often ask why we love this model so much — and it’s simple:

• Professional-grade performance
• Exceptionally low running costs
• And a system that’s so clean, efficient, and reliable

The Profine ZERO Professional model is heavier-duty, longer-lasting, and built to suit demanding applications — from homes and kitchens to coffee machines, steam ovens, autoclaves, dental clinics, and more.

⚙️ Performance Snapshot

• Produces up to 3 litres per minute (with water pressure only)
• No pump. No electrics. No storage tank required
• Suitable for water pressure 1.5–6 bar
• Integrated patented hydrophore system
• Ultra-high efficiency: 1 litre to drain for every 1 litre produced
• Pre- and post-filters: change every 12 months
• Membranes: change as needed based on use, TDS, and water quality
• Filter life: up to 7,000 litres

💷 Price

£675 + VAT = £810 inc VAT (Optional storage tank available if preferred)

Installation

• Free if installed with a water softener
• Otherwise, £174 inc VAT (includes travel and time)

💡 Not to be confused with the standard retail “Profine Zero” in a white cabinet — this is the Professional model: professional grade, higher build quality, longer life, and built for serious performance.

Option B: Kinetico Bolt — 5-Stage Direct Flow Reverse Osmosis System (Electrical Power Needed)

The new Kinetico Bolt is a fantastic example of the very latest in RO technology — combining high-pressure pump power and advanced membrane technology to deliver pure drinking water on demand.

With a flow rate of up to 2.4 litres per minute, the Kinetico Bolt provides fast, efficient water purification without the need for a storage tank. (Although if a storage tank is added, you can enjoy an even faster flow rate.)

This is our most efficient RO system we offer — ejecting just 0.5 litres of waste water for every 1 litre of pure water produced. A huge saving compared to traditional systems!

Please note: This system requires an electrical power supply.

Filter Maintenance in Domestic Use

• Combined 4-stage filter should be changed every 12 months
• Membrane should be changed as required, depending on water hardness, quality, and TDS levels.(Filters are designed for easy, straightforward replacement.)

💷 Price

£830 + VAT = £996 inc VAT (Optional storage tank available if preferred)

Installation

• Free if installed with a water softener
• Otherwise, £174 inc VAT (includes travel and time)

Option C: Culligan SoClear — 3-Stage Water Purifier System (Battery Powered)

The Culligan SoClear Water Purifier offers a brilliant, compact solution for fresher, cleaner water — all without the need for electricity or complicated installation. Using ultrafiltration technology, the SoClear system removes harmful elements like bacteria, viruses, cysts, E. coli, pesticides, herbicides, and traces of pharmaceutical drugs — while still allowing healthy minerals to remain in the water. (It’s different from reverse osmosis systems, which also remove heavy metals — so it’s a great choice if you want purified, but naturally balanced, water.)

How It Works

• Stage 1: Turbidity Filter — removes sand, dust, and suspended particles for clearer water
• Stage 2: Carbon Block Filter — removes colour, chlorine, organic compounds, and bad tastes and odours
• Stage 3: Ultrafiltration Membrane — eliminates bacteria, viruses, cysts, pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceutical residues

⚙️ Performance Snapshot

• Zero wastewater means every drop goes towards cleaner, better-tasting water
• Battery powered, so no electrical connection is needed
• Operates at just 2-bar pressure, making it ideal for a wide range of homes
• Super-compact design fits neatly into most kitchen spaces

Filter Maintenance in Domestic Use

• Combined 3-stage cartridge should be changed every 12 months or sooner, depending on water usage
• Easy-to-change filters for straightforward maintenance

💷 Price

£420 + VAT = £504 inc VAT

Installation

• Free if installed with a water softener
• Otherwise, £174 inc VAT (includes travel and time)