I'm currently searching for a filter solution for my home. Although initially was to filter out the chlorine smell and taste, after reading the Net I've become more confused. I've read about the detractors of RO water and how it isn't natural. And by the way, isn't rain water more equivalent to distilled water?

As far as I know RO is just another form of filtration, enough to filter out bacteria so you can drink it without boiling. Which comes to my question, why do we boil our water anyway? Just to kill germs and bacteria?

Wouldn't RO water taste flat without the salt that comes with water? I can't remember RO water taste but I do know distilled water taste flat.

Is microwave water even better than RO water or UV treated water?

Would germs grow on RO water filters?

Thanks for the replies.

Another question, is it a good idea to put a outdoor filter that filters chlorine but then the water will be filling up my storage tanks in the house. Will the lack of chlorine in the tanks encourage bacteria growth?

Was thinking of have an outdoor filter that filters chlorine and sendiments and another inner filter for drinking water. I have no doubt RO water is exceptionally clean, and possibly the cleanest. Just wondered if it taste flat as distilled water. Best comparison is you drink a bottle of distilled water and a bottle of mineral water. The difference is the mineral water taste sweeter, not as in sugar sweet but tastier than the distilled water.

Yeah which is why I'm concern about the water tank. If the outdoor unit filters most of the chlorine then I'm just encouraging growth in my water tank. Although I read that most outdoor unit do not remove ALL the chlorine, just a portion of it and if not mistaken, most chlorine evaporates after some time anyway.

I want to filter out some chlorine because sometimes the smell of chlorine also comes from the shower and I read that chlorine absorption is also maximise during bathing in hot showers. So its a dilemma to choose which kind of filters I need. I'm not worried about indoor filters that we use to filter drinking water but more on the water reserve tank.

A typical outdoor sand filter with a carbon layer takes care of the brownish water and treats chlorine, quite sure it doesn't completely removes all chlorine. And an indoor filter will take care of the drinking water. Just need some clarification of the importance of having chlorine present in the water tank.