A Guide for San Antonio, Boerne, Helotes & Schertz Homeowners

If you’ve been hearing more people talk about RO water lately and wondered why it suddenly feels like everyone is switching their home drinking systems… you’re not imagining it. Reverse Osmosis (RO) water has become one of the most popular upgrades homeowners are making to improve their water quality without relying on bottled water or bulky countertop filters.

Here’s the thing: not all water is the same. And if you live in San Antonio or nearby areas like Boerne, Helotes, or Schertz, you already know our water is… hard. High mineral levels, a strong chlorine smell at times, and sediment buildup in faucets and appliances are common around here. So it makes sense that more families are looking for cleaner, better-tasting water straight from the tap.

Let’s break down what RO water actually is, why so many people swear by it, and whether it makes sense for your home.

What Is RO Water?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a filtration process that removes up to 99% of dissolved solids, chemicals, heavy metals, and contaminants from your drinking water. It works by pushing water through a semipermeable membrane fine enough to trap even microscopic impurities.

Most RO systems remove things like

• chlorine and chemical byproducts

• sediment and rust

• fluoride

• lead and other heavy metals

• PFAS and VOCs

• unpleasant odors and tastes

What you’re left with is clean, crisp water that tastes noticeably better than standard tap water or basic carbon-filter pitchers.

In simple terms: RO takes your tap water and strips out everything except the pure H₂O.

Why Are More People Choosing RO Water?

Homeowners in San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country have unique water concerns. Hard water, chlorine taste, and mineral buildup are practically part of daily life here. So it’s not surprising that RO filtration systems have become one of the top plumbing upgrades we’re installing.

Here’s why they’ve become so popular.

1. Better Taste

This is usually the first thing people comment on. RO water tastes cleaner because it actually is cleaner. There’s no chlorine smell, no metallic aftertaste, no earthy flavor from minerals or sediment. Just smooth, refreshing water.

If you’re someone who struggles to drink enough water because you don’t like the taste of what comes from the tap, an RO system makes a massive difference.

2. Health-Conscious Choice

RO systems remove contaminants that basic filters simply can’t touch. Many San Antonio homeowners choose RO because they want drinking water that’s:

• low in chemicals

• free of dissolved solids

• safer for kids and pets

• reliable even when water quality fluctuates in the city

It’s not about fear—it's about taking control of what your family drinks every day.

3. Saves Money Over Time

Bottled water adds up fast. And with how hot Texas gets, families go through cases weekly. An RO system gives you bottled-quality water at home without paying bottled-water prices.

Most homeowners save hundreds of dollars a year once they switch.

4. Eco-Friendly Choice

No more plastic bottles. No more waste. You drink cleaner water without adding piles of single-use plastic to landfills.

For families trying to make small, sustainable changes, this upgrade is an easy win.

How Does an RO System Work?

You don’t need to be a plumbing expert—we’ll keep this simple. Most RO systems use multiple stages of filtration:

1. Sediment filter to catch rust, dirt, and debris
2. Carbon filter to remove chlorine and chemical taste
3. RO membrane to remove dissolved contaminants
4. Post-filter to polish the water for a clean, fresh taste
5. Storage tank so filtered water is ready when you need it

The entire system is tucked neatly under your sink. You still use your regular faucet for everything else, and a small dedicated RO faucet gets installed on your sink for drinking and cooking.

If you have a refrigerator with a water dispenser or ice maker, we can connect it to the RO system—huge upgrade in ice taste.

Is RO Water Safe for Everyone?

Absolutely. RO water is simply purified water. Some people think it tastes “too clean” at first because they’re used to minerals in tap water, but most adjust quickly and love it.

If you’re used to mineral-rich hard water, RO water can feel smoother and lighter. That’s normal.

Do You Still Need a Water Softener if You Have RO?

Yes. This is one of the biggest questions we get.

An RO system treats drinking water only.

A water softener treats your whole home’s water.

They work best as a pair.

A softener protects your pipes, water heater, and fixtures from hard-water damage—something extremely common in San Antonio. An RO system gives you premium drinking water at the sink.

If you’re unsure what your home needs, we always start with a free water test so you can see exactly what you’re dealing with.

Should You Install an RO System in Your Home?

If you want better-tasting water, fewer contaminants, and a long-term cost-saving alternative to bottled water, the answer is almost always yes.

RO water is especially beneficial if:

• you live in an area with hard or unpleasant-tasting tap water

• you’re trying to reduce plastic use

• you cook often and want cleaner water for food prep

• you have kids or pets

• you’ve noticed scale buildup, cloudy ice, or strange odors from tap water

Most importantly, RO systems are low maintenance, especially when professionally installed.

RO Installation in San Antonio, Boerne, Helotes & Schertz

At Very Good Plumbing, we’ve installed and serviced RO systems for homeowners across this area for more than a decade. Our team handles everything from water testing to choosing the right-sized filtration system to full installation.

What we offer:

• FREE water testing

• Honest recommendations

• High-quality RO systems built to last

• Professional installation

• Ongoing filter replacements if needed

• Transparent pricing—no surprises

If you're comparing systems or trying to figure out whether RO is right for your home, a quick consultation makes the decision a whole lot easier.

Ready To Try RO Water?

You don’t have to guess what’s in your water. We’ll test it. Show you what you’re dealing with. And help you decide whether an RO system or water softener, or both, make sense for your home.

Call or text: 210-868-5517

Visit: VeryGoodPlumbing.co