For the most part, reverse osmosis systems are no longer used by any of the leading brands of water filters. Current research indicates that this outdated process actually disrupts the healthful nature of water.

RO supposedly purifies water by removing the natural minerals and metals. Years ago, it was believed that these substances were unhealthy, but since then it has become scientifically evident that minerals and metals that occur naturally in water are actually what make it healthy and give it good taste.

The harmful substances in our water are actually the humanly introduced chemicals, which pass through the reverse osmosis system unscathed. These chemicals are chlorine, used to purify water of disease at the treatment plant, organic chemicals that result from agricultural runoff in the forms of pesticides and fertilizers, as well as improperly disposed of household cleansers.

Chlorine is the only of these that has a taste and smell, but all of them have been shown to be contributors to the dramatic rise in cancer and nervous disorders over the last hundred years.

Since the reverse osmosis system does nothing to remove these dangerous substances, this process has been replaced by activated carbon filtration. Activated carbon works by chemically bonding with harmful substances and stopping their passage through the water supply.

The best replacements of reverse osmosis systems, however, do not stop at removing chemicals. They use a multi-stage process which also filters out lead and sediments. The three processes of filtration are: mechanical filtration, adsorption, and ion exchange. Choosing a multi-stage system that uses all of these stages in each unit is the way to best ensure that the water flowing through your tap is the best it can be.

Another advantage of the newer activated carbon versus the reverse osmosis systems is that the newer process not only removes the dangerous stuff, it balances the mineral content of water to be optimally healthy and good tasting.

Although the majority of leading water filtration use activated carbon rather than the antiquated reverse osmosis system, they are not all created equal. The best of these modern systems are certified to produce the results they claim, they come with extensive money back guarantees, and they have lifetime warranties.

And the water filtration systems themselves add only ten cents to the price of each gallon of water, which is far less than the older reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis wastes gallons of water for every gallon filtered through its process of purification.

Consumer Reports has done its own research on the subject of the best activated carbon systems. In fact, they don't even bother much with assessing the reverse osmosis system anymore. For at least the last five years, they have analyzed the leading brands for quality, price, service, including customer service, and guarantees.

These up-to-date replacements of reverse osmosis systems come in a variety of different products for consumer convenience. You can choose to protect your entire home water supply with a whole house in line water filtration system, or you can focus on particular faucets in your home like the kitchen sink and showers.

Don't forget the importance of filtering shower water, because it isn't just the water you ingest that introduces unhealthy chemicals into your body. In fact, experts estimate that 60-70 percent of the chlorine that enters the human body in this country comes through skin absorption from daily showering.

And, finally, the beauty of the water filtration industry is that through the power of the internet there is no reason to use an expensive middle man to buy your water filters. You can go straight to the manufacturer and receive the best of its services for the best price.