Microfiltered or reverse osmosis water? How to choose
These are the two most common technologies for treating tap water at home. Neither is best in absolute terms: it depends on the quality of your source water and on who drinks it. Here is a clear guide — especially if there are children at home.
Microfiltration
- Keeps the water’s natural calcium and magnesium
- Removes chlorine, odours and bad tastes
- No water waste, high flow rate
- Low energy use and maintenance
- Does not remove nitrates or hardness/limescale
Reverse osmosis
- Removes nitrates, limescale and heavy metals
- Very light water, low dry residue
- Recommended where water has specific issues
- Also removes beneficial minerals (demineralises)
- Involves water waste and more maintenance
👶 And for children?
You need light water: low dry residue, sodium < 20 mg/L and nitrates < 10 mg/L. Microfiltration does not change these values; where tap water is not already light, reverse osmosis is the more suitable choice.
Here the minerals are beneficial for growth. Microfiltered water — fresh, chlorine-free but with its minerals — is the ideal solution, since the water in Rimini is already of good quality.
| Your need | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Good everyday drinking water, with the minerals | Microfiltration |
| Weaned children and family | Microfiltration |
| Bars, restaurants, hotels (high flow, still or sparkling) | Microfiltration |
| Preparing infant formula / very light water | Reverse osmosis |
| Very hard water or high in nitrates/contaminants | Reverse osmosis |
General guidance: it does not replace a paediatrician’s advice or the analysis of an individual water supply. In Italy, tap water supplied as drinking water is safe to drink (Legislative Decree 18/2023).