Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are proven to significantly reduce fluoride levels. While fluoride is often added to the city water supply to protect dental health — and research has shown that it’s generally safe to drink and can be beneficial — some people may still want to remove it for various reasons.
Let’s find out more about fluoridated water and how reverse osmosis filtration handles it.
Does reverse osmosis remove fluoride from drinking water?
Reverse osmosis systems are a highly comprehensive filtration solution. While they won’t completely remove fluoride, they can greatly reduce it. In fact, Culligan’s Aquasential® Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration Systems are certified to reduce about 98% of fluoride. It’s a practical way to gain more control over what’s in your drinking water. But how does RO work?
How reverse osmosis works
Reverse osmosis uses household water pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane. This membrane acts as a barrier, allowing water molecules to pass through while trapping many types of dissolved solids — including fluoride. The result is cleaner, filtered water with fewer contaminants.
While the name refers to this specific membrane process, most reverse osmosis filtration systems use multiple stages of filtration. These additional stages — such as sediment and carbon filters — work alongside the RO membrane to provide a more comprehensive solution.
In short, if you’re looking to remove fluoride and other contaminants, an RO system is an excellent choice for more comprehensive water filtration, outperforming basic pitcher or fridge filters.
Do you need to remove fluoride?
For most households, removing fluoride isn’t necessary. Fluoride occurs naturally and is commonly added to public water supplies at carefully regulated levels to help protect dental health. This is because it’s been proven to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay and cavities.
According to both the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Health Canada, the target level for fluoridation is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 0.7 parts per million. That’s a small amount, which means it’s unlikely to cause any negative health impacts. Even if a water source has more natural fluoride, the added amount likely won’t exceed any significant limits.
Overall, 38.8% of Canadians and 73% of Americans rely on fluoridated water. So why do some people still want to remove this mineral? Although studies have shown no links between adverse health effects and the levels of fluoride in public water supplies, you might hear people concerned about impacts like cancer, immunotoxicity and developmental issues. More common, however, is the general interest in understanding and controlling what’s in your tap water.\
Reverse osmosis benefits
Reverse osmosis systems do more than reduce fluoride — they provide broad protection against a wide range of water concerns. With multiple stages of filtration, RO offers benefits such as:
Addressing invisible contaminants
Most contaminants are impossible to detect without testing. Lead, for example, can still be a risk in older plumbing, yet you can’t see, taste or smell it. A professional water test can help identify these issues, while an RO system with the right filtration stages can significantly reduce these unseen problems, giving you greater peace of mind.
Improving taste, odor and appearance
Other substances, including copper, chlorine and sulfur bacteria, may not pose a significant health risk but can leave water with unpleasant tastes, odors or discoloration. RO helps address both the source contaminants and the effects, so every glass tastes fresher and cleaner.
Delivering comprehensive water treatment
Pitcher and fridge filters have limited capacity and effectiveness. A multistage reverse osmosis system goes further, combining sediment, carbon, membrane filtration and more to reduce a broad range of impurities and provide a consistent supply of high-quality water for drinking, cooking and more on tap.
H2: Want to address fluoride? Start here.
Whether you’re concerned about fluoride or just want more control over your tap water, RO filtration is a good place to start. However, if you want a solution that’s customized to fit your needs, it’s best to get a water test that will tell you what’s happening with your home’s water quality.
