Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems For Microplastics In 2024

Why choose a reverse osmosis water filtration system?

Microplastics in water are a growing concern for homeowners around the world. These small particles measuring down to less than a nanometer across in diameter can negatively affect our hormones, leading to fertility and development issues when consumed daily.

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Luckily, regardless if you are trying to filter microplastics specifically from your drinking water, reverse osmosis systems are a fantastic solution to this problem. By forcefully pushing water through stages of tight membranes and carbon filters, you can remove almost all microplastic particles (including viruses, bacteria, and heavy metals) from your water. 

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Benefits of full-house water filtration systems.

Whole house reverse osmosis systems are regarded as the solution to end all solutions when it comes to at-home water filtration. These larger-scale systems can route water to multiple kitchen or bathroom sinks, and with a large enough storage tank, washing machines and showers*.

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As mentioned in our articles on microplastic science here on this blog, microplastics can also be absorbed through the skin, especially when wet, so feeding filtered water to faucets and shower heads can even further prevent microplastic exposure to your face and body when bathing.

Washing machines that would typically be fed straight from your house’s incoming pipes will also instead be fed clean, microplastic-free water, an added bonus where your clothes are not consistently re-washed with microplastic-full water.

*Note: High gallon-per-minute (gpm) applications such as washing machines (requires 3-5gpm) and showers (2-3gpm) may require an external storage tank.

Potential drawbacks to a whole house system.

Obviously, more plumbing experience and initial investment ($$$) is required for installing a whole house reverse osmosis water filtration system, but if you are willing to learn and attain the satisfaction for ensuring maximum safety from microplastics in water, this is still a valid choice.

You will need to verify that you don’t still use plastic (PVC commonly) piping in large quantities inside your plumbing track. The efficiency of the water filtration could be partially lost when plastic from these pipes shed and were reintroduced back into the water you expected to be free from microplastics.

Most importantly, as we mentioned before, you must consider the gallons-per-minute required for connected water applications before deciding on a whole house filtration system. Showers (2-3gpm) and washing machines (3-5gpm) require more water than most RO filters can produce at any given time, so look into external tanks, your boiler size, or any other storage options post filtration in your home plumbing before buying our recommended RO whole house filters.

If you plan on using these whole house filters exclusively for kitchen or bathroom sinks, you will be fine as is. 

If you are leasing an apartment or live in a multi family home, you might not even have access to your main plumbing at all. But don’t worry, there are plenty of options for minimizing your microplastic exposure. Countertop and under-the-sink variations of reverse osmosis filters are great for those who want to at least reduce microplastic ingestion from their drinking water. 

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You can find out more about countertop and under sink RO filters in our guides.

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Best whole house RO systems - Crystal Quest.

When it comes to US-based manufacturers who specialize in water filtration and develop quality and effective whole house reverse osmosis systems, Crystal Quest is hard to beat.

Crystal Quest’s largest clients include NASA, American Airlines, Pfizer, and more who have tested and trusted their top of the line designs for water purification systems.

While Crystal Quest sells a lot of different products, we are impressed with their variety of whole house RO options that range from 300 to 7000(!) GPD configurations along with storage tank add-ons from 165 to 550 gallons that can encompass the needs of any sized house or building.

Crystal Quest 300 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System - the lowest GPD (300) offering on their line of whole house RO systems is suitable for 1-1.5 bathrooms, depending on shower use. This is best for small houses or single flat homes that do not require a larger setup. Their page includes options for adding storage tanks to ensure there is plenty of clean, microplastic-free water for high GPM applications such as showers and washing machines.

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Crystal Quest 1000 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System - a few steps up is the 1000 GPD model, which is suitable for 2-3 bathroom houses. Again, there are multiple options on their website for storage tank add-ons.

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Crystal Quest 2500 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System - if you need an RO system for up to 4 bathroom houses, the 2500 GPD model includes a larger pump for maintaining water flow to multiple high-GPM applications simultaneously, especially with a tank add-on.

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Crystal Quest 4000 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System - for 5+ bathroom houses, consider the 4000 GPD model. Using the same technology, this model can provide an incredible amount of filtration for less cost per gallon per day. 

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In total, Crystal Quest offers 300, 400, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 1800, 2500, 4000, 500, and 7000 GPD models with options to include (if necessary) 165, 220, and 500 gallon clean water storage tanks. All of these combinations offer compatible UV water sterilizer and remineralizer add-on components as well.

Additionally, Crystal Quest products are eligible for support (installation, questions, technical help) through their portal, making them a great candidate for your new whole house reverse osmosis water filtration system.

How to continue reducing your microplastic exposure.

If you are interested in learning more about microplastics, their effects, and how you can effectively reduce or remove them from your daily life, check out our complete guide.

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