What is reverse osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is the most convenient and effective method of water filtration. Often referred to as RO, is an advanced water purification method. It was initially developed by the U.S. Navy to produce drinking water from sea water for submarine crews.
It is a membrane filtration technology that works by forcing water under pressure through the very tiny pores of a semi-permeable membrane. Modern reverse osmosis units for the home combine membrane technology with carbon and mechanical filtration to produce highly purified, great-tasting water.
How does it work?
Simplified Version:
Water is driven by city water pressure.
1) It flows first through a through a sediment filter where silt, sediment and particles (like sand and clay) are removed. It protects the automatic shut-off and the membrane from clogging with debris.
Then water flows through two types of Carbon Pre-Filters, which removes organic contaminants including chlorine and its by-products.
2) Catalytic Carbon Pre Filter is specific to Chloramines. This is how Bay Area disinfects water.
3) Granular Activated Carbon Pre Filter for Chlorine and other chemical contaminates such as pesticides. Some Units will have a Fluoride Filter instead.
4) Next, it enters the reverse osmosis membrane, a very tight, sheet-like filter, that allows water to pass but rejects dissolved solids like sodium and impurities like lead and arsenic. Some of the water entering the unit is used to cleanse the membrane surface and flows to the the kitchen drain pipes.
The purified water is stored in a small storage tank until it is needed.
5) When the RO faucet is opened, the purified water is forced by air pressure through another carbon filter, which gives it a final polish and from there to the RO faucet.
6) Final Stage, water flows around the ceramic beads were trace amounts of minerals are returned to the water. This creates naturally alkaline water with slightly negative charge.
Note: The simplified description omits a few very essential parts like flow control devices, check valves, and an automatic shutoff devices that stops the inflow of water when the storage tank is full.
Is a reverse osmosis unit like a distiller?
Both effectively reduce “dissolved solids” content of water, but the processes are quite different.
RO filters water through a very tight semi-permeable membrane. A distiller is like a big tea kettle: it boils water, catches the steam, condenses it, and captures the resulting water. Most impurities are left behind in the boiling chamber.
Both distillers and reverse osmosis systems rely heavily on carbon filtration for chemical removal. (Cheap distillers often have little or no carbon filtration and are, therefore, of limited effectiveness.)
Heat from distilling liberates the energy inherent within the water. Most people don’t realize that water has energy. This energy can not be returned with a carbon filter. The healthiest water will have a negative charge.
But isn’t distilled water more pure than reverse osmosis water?
Distillers typically remove a few parts per million more of common mineral constituents like sodium.
However, distillers don’t do a good job with volatile chemicals with a low boiling point. Chloramines, for example, which many cities now use instead of chlorine as a disinfectant, are not well removed by distillers.
Reverse osmosis, with the carbon filters that accompany it, does a very good job with chloramines. Unless volatile chemicals like chlorine are removed by carbon filtration before they enter the distiller, they will be released into the room air or they will end up in the distilled water.
But in general, distilled water is very pure, as is reverse osmosis water.
What about Waste Water?
It depends on what you mean by waste.
A home RO unit uses water to clean itself and wash away impurities. It’s like a lot of other water-using appliances. We use water to wash clothes, to wash dishes, to wash cars, to flush toilets.
The reverse osmosis drains about 2 gallons for every gallon of purified water produced. But it doesn’t use enough that you’ll notice it on your water bill. It uses water only while it’s filling its storage tank. When the tank is full, the whole unit shuts down and no water runs to drain.
In terms of expense, it’s like three extra toilet flushes a day.
Still a concern: A special device can be added to make the reverse osmosis more efficient, but with additional cost. Greater efficiency is achieved with a permeate pump. The pump will improve production to about 1 gallon waste to 1 gallon drinking water.
Tell me more about the Membrane?
The membrane is a DOW filmtec with a 50 gallons per day capacity. FILMTEC elements produce higher flows than many competitive elements at identical pressures. FILMTEC home drinking water RO elements are constructed using advanced automated manufacturing technology. FILMTEC elements are built to optimum physical tolerances, minimizing element-to-element differences. In addition, critical fastening points are sonic-welded for maximum strength and durability. The tank has a rubber bladder to keep the water pressurized.
All reverse osmosis membranes reduce the same contaminants. The NSF list of contaminants and the ways to reduce them link here: http://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/water-quality/water-filters-testing-treatment/contaminant-reduction-claims-guide
Why do you need to drill a hole?
The reverse osmosis is a point-of-use system for the kitchen, with its own faucet. The separate drinking water faucet will be located in the sink or counter. The soap dispenser can often be removed an the already existing hole my be used for install of faucet. The size hole needed is half inch in diameter.
Can I connect the reverse osmosis unit to my refrigerator/icemaker?
Yes, the Reverse Osmosis in many cases can also be connected to the fridge. Most times we can make the connection Free of charge. However, if we need to crawl under the house for the connection there will be additional cost. When the fridge is across the room from the sink it a good indication that the water line is not a simple connection.
If we did make the connection, what happens if we need buy a new refrigerator?
There will be a dedicated shut-off valve for the fridge. You can reverse the connection back to its original configuration for the fridge.
Instead of installing a separate Faucet can I use my refrigerator’s water dispenser?
We need a drain for waste water. The reverse osmosis will need to be located near the drain (usually under kitchen sink). Many cases a water line can be ran to the fridge. If the fridge is across the room from the sink it is a good indication the water line is not a simple connection. There would be an additional charge when someone must crawls under house. For a few, this is not an option. If the sink is in an island and your home has a slab foundation, the connection can not be done.
Why do I need a separate faucet?
If the drinking water was connected to your faucet you be be very disappointed. They do not provide enough water for washing dishes or regular water usage. Also, it is not made for hot water. You want your regular sink faucet for those things.
How long will a reverse osmosis unit last?
It can last about 10 years if you service it regularly and replace parts that wear out, like the filters, storage tank, membrane, and the ledge faucet. If the system is not properly maintained, the system can last about to 3 – 5 years.
We recommend annual filter replacement. The membrane will require replacement every 2-5 years, depending on the nature of the water that it’s processing and water usage.
Note: Waiting 2 years to change your filters is too long. This practice will compromise the integrity of any RO system. Water that is consumed from a compromised system can be worse than the tap water that the system is supposed to clean.
Why would anyone buy the low producing RO unit?
Think of it this way: If you draw a gallon of water from the system, a 50-gallon-per-day membrane will refill the tank at the rate of about two gallon per hour. For most users, that’s plenty fast.
More isn’t always better. If you need 75 gallons a day, we can modify your reverse osmosis unit. However, if you’re only going to use 3 gallons per day, a lower production membrane will probably last longer and do a better job because it gets to run longer and spends less time sitting idly.
Reverse osmosis membranes clean themselves as they process water, so it’s really healthier if the membrane has to work longer to fill the tank. The slower the membrane the higher the quality of the water.
A guy who sells filters showed me a chart that said reverse osmosis membrane doesn’t remove chlorine. Is that true?
Technically what he said was true, but for practical purposes it’s an out-right lie.
It’s true that the reverse osmosis membrane doesn’t remove chlorine. It doesn’t have to, because it has a couple of high quality carbon filters with it that do the job. In fact, if the first carbon filter didn’t remove all the chlorine, the membrane would get eaten alive in no time.
Statements like this are an obvious effort to deceive. It’s surprising that some very large companies repeat such misrepresentations just to sell their products.
Do reverse osmosis units need electricity?
No, they run on water pressure. You need electricity only if you add an electric pressure-boost or permeate pump. Standard units have neither and normally don’t need them.
Why are reverse osmosis units so popular?
Because they produce great-tasting, very pure water at a very reasonable cost and in a trouble-free, fully automatic format.
We’ve found that RO customers are very loyal. After some time drinking high quality water the bad taste in other water really stands out. Many customers are converted to “water snobs” and will carry water from home with them.
What about reverse osmosis for the whole house?
The whole house reverse osmosis systems do not present a feasible option. The cost is a major obstacle. Unless you live next to a coal mine or other highly undesirable location that type of RO is really an over kill. They also produce a considerable amount of wasted water. Your water bill would triple. They take up a tremendous amount of space. Depending on the quality of your water you would need some type of pre-treatment and many need post-treatment to raise the pH back up as well.
The water we consume for drinking and cooking should be filtered more carefully to guarantee contaminant free drinking water. This is achieved with a point of use system installed in the kitchen. That does not mean bathing water should be ignored.
See Our Whole House Water Filtration Systems because water you bath in is also an important consideration. Your skin is the body’s largest organ and some contaminants can be inhaled via steam. In many areas whole house filtration is required to reduce the toxic load on the body. A whole house Carbon filter is recommended for those who’s water is treated with Chloramines.
Why do some reverse osmosis units cost $1300 and others cost $189?
The thing about getting what you pay for is true sometimes, but not always. Many of the more expensive RO units use undersized filters in an effort to achieve a stylish appearance. Using undersized filters creates an inferior unit. Some have some bells and whistles that are more trouble than they’re worth.
As for the $189 unit, what you usually give you are the least expensive parts available. The bottom of the line, in every category. That’s not to say that some of the parts aren’t excellent. Lower quality membranes can remove up to 95% when new. They weaken quickly over time and would require replacement up to every year to maintain adequate contaminant reduction.
We build the best RO unit we can. We sell the 6-Stage for the what we have to get to stay in business. We try not to worry about what everyone else is doing. The filters and products were chosen based on what will purify yet produce the healthiest water for our customers. The highest quality media (Aries FilterWorks) is used along with Biocera Alkaline Mineral Filter. Biocera is the most reputable mineral filter company on the market.
We have spent much time with the manufacturer/inventor of the 16-Stage Water Purification System. He is very detail oriented and fastidious in regards to quality control. He is proud to purchase parts made in the USA that uphold to his independent testing. This product qualifies for best in industry an he is always looking for ways to upgrade and improve the system.
What does a reverse osmosis unit remove?
The reverse osmosis process can remove a myriad of organic and inorganic contaminants from your tap water.
These systems specialize in removing chlorine taste and odor, rust, sediment and also alleviate common worries about public water by reducing or completely removing arsenic, asbestos, chromium, fluoride, lead, mercury, VOCs, THMs, giardia and cryptosporidium. We add a Fluoride Filter to achieve non detect levels for our reverse osmosis system.
See Reverse Osmosis Rejection Percentages
Why Add Mineral Filter?
Traditional Reverse Osmosis water is acidic. This type of acidic water is not good to drink for an ongoing basis. You want drinking water to have an alkaline pH. The mineral filter will add trace amounts of minerals (not to supplement your diet) to correct the water chemistry. Depending on the acidity of the source water the pH varies. The Biocera Filter provides an average pH of eight.
Note: Air bubbles which make the water appear cloudy for about 2 minutes is normal. This is letting you know how well the filter is working for you.
What is the Expected Parts Per Million?
Parts Per Million is 10 to 20 from pure reverse osmosis. Once it is remineralized with the Biocera filter, it will go up to 30 to 40 ppm. But please note that the ppm is higher taken immediately compared to after the water runs for a few seconds.
What about a UV light?
We can can add a UV light upon request. To put a UV under your sink, you need electricity. I have heard people say “I have electricity to my garbage disposal” and they do, but your UV system will only work when you turn your garbage disposal on (not a good idea). You need to run an additional electric line to the ultraviolet system and that can often be a problem. Also be aware an ultraviolet light on a reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink heats the water as it sits during the day.
A UV light is a better solution on the incoming water supply to the whole home before an RO system instead. Please read Whole House Carbon filter page before requesting for entire home.
Can we take the RO system and with us when we move?
Yes, it can be easily uninstalled in about an hour. Please call to discuss price of relocating the system.
Are Noises Normal?
System will make some slight noises as it processes water, even though faucet is off. A slight humming noise from unit as water is dispensed is normal. This is due to the pressure change inside unit as it begins processing more water.
Slight dripping/gurgle noise from sink drain is normal. This is reject process water flowing down the sink drain.
If just installed, a whining sound can be heard when the tank is pressurizing for the first time. This noise should stop within a few minutes.
Dimensions:
The RO unit is 6″ deep, 15″ long, 18″ high and the tank is 11 inch in Diameter. The amount of space the unit takes up is determined by the layout of your plumbing. If everything is nice and tight then the system will take very little space. If your plumbing is not then it may take up the entire cabinet. The hole needed for the RO faucet is 1/2″ diameter.