In laboratories, accuracy depends on controlling every possible variable, including water. Water is used throughout labs for preparing reagents, rinsing glassware, feeding analytical instruments, and overall supporting many procedures. However, if this water has even the smallest traces of dissolved minerals, organic compounds, or microorganisms, it can skew results, damage equipment, and compromise samples. For this reason, water purity isn’t just a ‘nice to have’; it’s critical.
Not every lab application needs the same level of purity, as different tasks call for different grades of purified water. For example, general washing and rinsing may only require water with low levels of dissolved materials, while analytical testing may require ultra-pure water with no detectable contaminants.
Laboratory water is assessed using measurements such as:
- Total dissolved solids (TDS) – the amount of dissolved salts and minerals in the water.
- Conductivity – a measure of how easily electricity passes through the water (a higher conductivity generally means a greater concentration of dissolved solids).
- Organic content – organic compounds can interfere with sensitive techniques.
- Microbial contamination – bacteria can compromise testing and reduce water quality.
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a process where water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane that removes the majority of dissolved salts, heavy metals, organic compounds, bacteria and many other contaminants in order to produce pure water. It is typically used as a pre-purification stage before deionisation or distillation, which makes downstream purification more efficient and extends the life of polishing systems.
Using water that isn’t sufficiently purified can create many problems for laboratories, including:
- Inaccurate test results are caused by dissolved ions or organic contaminants interfering with analytical methods.
- Sample contamination, particularly during sensitive biological or chemical testing.
- Reduced repeatability makes it difficult to reproduce experimental results.
- Instrument damage from scale formation, corrosion or contaminant build-up within precision equipment.
- Higher operating costs due to increased maintenance, repairs and replacement of consumables.
A water purification system can help laboratories minimise risks.
When choosing the right reverse osmosis system, the right solution depends on certain factors:
- Required water output – larger labs may have higher-capacity systems.
- Feed water quality – the composition of your mains water will influence the system design and performance.
- Available space – for smaller labs, compact systems may be preferable.
- Required water purity – some applications only require RO water, while others may need combined RO/DI solutions for higher-purity water.
By working with an experienced supplier, you can ensure your system delivers the required water quality for your application and environment.
Reverse Osmosis removes the majority of contaminants before they reach sensitive lab processes, meaning they protect equipment, improves downstream purification, and helps laboratories achieve the right consistency.
At Fileder, we supply high-quality RO systems that are designed to support lab applications. Our technical team can advise on the right solution for your required water quality, usage, and space. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and find the right reverse osmosis system for your laboratory.
