Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology that utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved impurities and particles larger than 0.001 microns from water. The process is driven by household water pressure which forces tap water through the membrane, while contaminants are flushed away. Factors such as water pressure, temperature, and the quality of the membranes affect the system's performance, and RO is applicable in various fields including drinking water treatment and wastewater management.