Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration

Semi-permeable membrane forces water through under pressure, rejecting dissolved solids, salts, and contaminants (PFAS, nitrates, heavy metals) that filtration and UV alone don't remove, the highest achievable water-quality ceiling of any option in this catalog. Trade-off: significant electricity draw, a reject-water stream (often 3-4x the product volume), and a membrane needing periodic professional-grade replacement rather than a field repair.

Cost
High
Upkeep
Seasonal
Skill to build
Specialist
Lifespan
System/housing: 10-15 years; the membrane itself needs replacement every 2-5 years
Embodied carbon
Medium
Space / material use
Low
Output timing
On-demand/controllable
Skill to repair
Specialist

Note: Cost, carbon and footprint are rated against the other options for this same need, not in absolute terms.

Inputs

Outputs

Sources

What this page does not tell you

No sizing or quantities: how much a technique yields, and how much a household needs, both depend on the build and the people, so the catalogue compares options rather than dimensioning them. It carries no bill of materials and no build sequence, and it is written for an oceanic, clay-soil climate (Normandy, France). Regulatory notes are indicative and need confirming locally.