Reverse osmosis drinking water
A dedicated drinking-water tap at the kitchen sink.
An under-sink reverse osmosis system filters water through a membrane and carbon stages to make drinking and cooking water at a separate faucet. Around Sioux Falls, most RO systems go in alongside a softener, or on a well where the family wants extra treatment for what they drink.
Why people add RO
- Sodium from softening. A salt-based softener adds sodium to the water it treats. Some households prefer not to drink or cook with softened water.
- Lewis and Clark sodium. The Sioux Falls 2025 report lists 82 ppm sodium in Lewis and Clark water, versus 34 ppm in city-treated water, before any home softening.
- Private wells. RO can reduce some dissolved contaminants in drinking water when a test shows a concern.
- Taste for coffee, ice and cooking.
Things to know
RO is a point-of-use system sized for drinking and cooking, not the whole house. It sends part of the water it processes down the drain. Pre-filters and the membrane need periodic replacement, and the storage tank should be sanitized. Softened or low-iron water helps membranes last longer.
What affects the cost
The number of stages, tank size, faucet, a line to the refrigerator, and the ongoing cost of filters. Ask about yearly maintenance as well as the install price.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does RO remove sodium from softened water?
RO reduces dissolved solids, including much of the sodium a softener adds. That is one reason RO is often paired with a softener.
Can RO feed my refrigerator?
Often, yes. Ask the company whether your refrigerator line can connect and whether the system has enough capacity.
Related services
More background: Sioux Falls hard water guide.
Scale on everything? Softener not keeping up?
Call and get connected with a water treatment company that works in Sioux Falls and nearby towns.