Short answer: No—not in any meaningful way.
This is one of the most common questions we hear at Artisanal Water Solutions:
“Does reverse osmosis remove the good minerals from my water?”
Let’s break it down using real data from the Charlotte Water supply—and what it actually means for your health.
What “Good Minerals” Are in Charlotte Water?
Charlotte’s municipal water is considered very soft, which means it contains low levels of natural minerals.
Typical levels:
- Calcium: ~10 ppm
- Magnesium: ~2 ppm
- Total hardness: ~30–35 ppm
What does that mean?
- This is very low mineral content
- For comparison:
- Mineral-rich water: 100–300+ ppm
- Charlotte water: ~30 ppm
👉 In simple terms:
You are not getting meaningful nutrition from your tap water.
Do These Minerals Matter for Your Health?
Yes—but not from water.
Your body gets minerals like calcium and magnesium primarily from food, not drinking water.
Example:
- A single banana: ~400 mg potassium
- A glass of Charlotte tap water:
- ~10 mg calcium
- ~2 mg magnesium
👉 You would need to drink extreme amounts of water to match what you get from everyday foods.
Bottom line:
The “good minerals” in Charlotte water are minimal and not a meaningful source of nutrition.
What Else Is in Your Water?
While Charlotte water meets safety standards, it can still contain trace contaminants.
Common ones include:
- Chlorine or chloramines (used for disinfection)
- Disinfection byproducts (DBPs)
- PFAS (“forever chemicals”)
- Trace metals (depending on plumbing)
- Other environmental contaminants at low levels
These are typically within regulatory limits—but many homeowners still prefer to remove them.
👉 Important distinction:
“Meets standards” does not always mean “optimal for long-term consumption.”
What Does Reverse Osmosis Actually Remove?
A properly designed reverse osmosis (RO) system removes:
- Up to 99% of dissolved contaminants
- Chlorine, PFAS, heavy metals, and more
- Taste and odor issues
Yes—it also removes the small amount of natural minerals present.
But as we’ve covered:
👉 Those minerals are already very low in Charlotte water.
The Real Tradeoff
Here’s the reality most homeowners don’t hear:
You’re keeping a small amount of low-level minerals…
while continuing to drink chlorine, byproducts, and trace contaminants.
That’s the actual decision.
The Modern Solution: Remineralization
Today’s systems—like the ones we install at Artisanal Water Solutions—don’t stop at purification.
We offer remineralization options, which:
- Add back clean, balanced minerals
- Improve taste
- Slightly raise pH for a smoother drinking experience
👉 So instead of:
- Random trace minerals + unwanted contaminants
You get:
- Ultra-pure water + intentional, healthy mineral balance
What’s Right for Your Home?
Every home in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area is different.
Water chemistry can vary based on:
- Location
- Plumbing
- Municipal vs. well supply
That’s why we don’t recommend one-size-fits-all systems.
At Artisanal Water Solutions, we start with a consultation—not just a quick test—to design a system that fits your home and your water.
Final Takeaway
- Charlotte water is already low in minerals
- Reverse osmosis does not remove meaningful nutrition
- It does remove contaminants you may not want to consume
- Remineralization gives you the best of both worlds Want to See What’s in Your Water?
If you’re in Mooresville, Charlotte, Huntersville, or the Lake Norman area, we’re happy to walk you through your options.
Artisanal Water Solutions provides custom-designed filtration and reverse osmosis systems built specifically for our local water conditions.
Contact Artisanal Water today to schedule a 30 minute in home consultation with water quality expert. Call or text (704) 315-6344 or fill out our contact form
