Is reverse osmosis water better than bottled water?

In most cases, yes. RO water is filtered to a higher standard than most bottled water brands, which are often just filtered municipal water. RO removes chloramine, PFAS, nitrates, and heavy metals that many bottled water brands do not.

How much does an under-sink RO system cost?

Our alkaline RO system is installed for $895, including professional installation, a dedicated faucet, and a 1-year service plan. Annual filter replacement costs approximately $50–$80.

How long until an RO system pays for itself?

For a family spending $80/month on bottled water, the system pays for itself in about 11 months. For a family spending $40/month, payback is around 22 months. After that, you're saving money every month.

Does RO water taste different from bottled water?

Most people find RO water tastes cleaner and more neutral than bottled water. Our alkaline remineralization stage adds a slight mineral character that many people prefer to flat, demineralized water.

Can I use RO water for my coffee maker and ice maker?

Yes — and you should. RO water dramatically improves coffee flavor and produces crystal-clear ice. It also protects your coffee maker and ice machine from scale buildup.

Stop buying bottled water

Never Buy Bottled Water Again.

The average Central Ohio family spends $600–$1,200 a year on bottled water. An under-sink RO system delivers better water — at a fraction of the cost — from every tap in your kitchen.

$1,200

Average family annual bottled water spend

156

Plastic bottles per person per year (US avg)

2,000x

More expensive than tap water per gallon

Calculate your bottled water cost

See exactly what you're spending — and what you'd save.

Bottles or jugs per week

Average cost per bottle/jug ($)

$312

Annual spend

$1,560

5-year total

208

Bottles per year

43 mo.

RO payback

Get this system installed

The real cost of bottled water

Bottled water costs between $1 and $3 per gallon at retail. Your Columbus tap water costs about $0.004 per gallon. That's a markup of 250 to 750 times — for water that independent testing has repeatedly shown is often no better than filtered tap water.

A family of four buying a case of water per week spends roughly $700–$900 per year. Over five years, that's $3,500–$4,500 — enough to install a whole-home water softener and an under-sink RO system with money left over.

And that's before counting the inconvenience: hauling cases from the store, running out at the wrong time, storing empties, and the environmental cost of single-use plastic.

Bottled water vs. reverse osmosis — the real comparison

Factor	Bottled water	Reverse osmosis
Cost per gallon	$1.00–$3.00	$0.05–$0.10
Annual cost (family of 4)	$700–$1,200	$50–$80 (filters only)
Water quality	Varies — often unregulated	99% contaminant removal, consistent
Convenience	Store trips, heavy cases, storage	Unlimited, on-demand, from your tap
Plastic waste	156+ bottles/person/year	Zero
Taste	Varies by brand and storage	Consistent, clean, alkaline

Signs it's time to stop buying bottled water

You spend more than $50/month on bottled water

At that rate, an RO system pays for itself in under 18 months — then saves you money every year after.

You have a Brita or pitcher filter that you refill constantly

Pitcher filters are inconvenient and only partially effective. An under-sink RO system delivers unlimited filtered water on demand.

You use bottled water for cooking, not just drinking

If you're boiling pasta or making rice with bottled water, your costs are even higher than you think.

You have a refrigerator filter but still buy bottled water

Refrigerator filters improve taste but don't remove chloramine, PFAS, or nitrates. Many people buy bottled water even with a fridge filter.

You're tired of hauling cases from the store

The convenience factor alone is worth it for many families — unlimited filtered water, always available, no trips to the store.

You're concerned about plastic leaching into your water

Plastic bottles can leach BPA and microplastics, especially when stored in warm conditions. An RO system significantly reduces this concern.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to stop buying bottled water for good?

We'll install an under-sink alkaline RO system that delivers unlimited filtered water from your kitchen tap — better than bottled, at a fraction of the cost.

Schedule a free water test Call (614) 476-8711