Impact of Reverse Osmosis on Water Treatment: A Systematic Literature Review 2019-2024

Saenz-Nolasco B.S.; Cruz-Aguilar A.A.; Osorio-Paredes L. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.535

Resumen

This systematic review analyzes the impact of reverse osmosis (RO) technology on treated water quality and its applicability in providing safe and sustainable drinking water between 2019 and 2024. The primary objectives were to assess the effectiveness of RO in removing contaminants from water, as well as its environmental impact and energy consumption. A comprehensive search was conducted in databases such as Scopus, using specific keywords and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicate that RO is highly effective in removing a wide range of contaminants, including emerging micropolluents, heavy metals, and persistent organic compounds, significantly improving treated water quality. However, challenges were also identified, such as high energy consumption and waste generation, which require mitigation strategies. This review contributes significantly to the existing literature, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of RO. Future research exploring combinations of RO with other emerging technologies and their application in less developed contexts is recommended to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of water treatment systems.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú