1. How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
2. What Is Meant By Total Dissolved Solids?
3. What Type Of Mineral Contaminates Are Removed By R.O.?
4. What is the Difference Between Faucet-Mount/Pitchers and Reverse Osmosis?
5. Does R.O. Remove Parasites Such As Bacteria, Cysts Or Cryptosporidium?
6. What Happens To The Impurities That Were In The Water?
7. What Is The Importance Of Water Pressure To An R.O. System?
8. Will Iron Hurt An R.O.?
9. Is It Necessary To Change The Filters In The R.O. System Every Six Months?
10. Does The R.O. Unit Have To Be Mounted Under The Kitchen Sink?
11. How Far Can A Line Be Run From The R.O. Unit?
12. Why Not Use Copper Tubing For The Line To The Icemaker?
13. What are some ways I will notice my RO system is working?
14. I Have A Water Softener; Doesn't That Treat My Drinking Water?
15. Will A Water Softener Harm The Reverse Osmosis (R.O.)?
16. Will An R.O. Soften Water
17. "I've seen RO systems that cost less than yours? "
1. How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Osmosis is a physical force. It is the natural
tendency of water with a low concentration of dissolved particles to flow
through a semi-permeable membrane to an area of water with a high concentration
of dissolved particles. This is how plants absorb nutrients from the soil. The
flow may be stopped or even reversed by applying external pressure on the side
of higher concentration. This is called reverse osmosis. (R.O.) Reverse osmosis
is only one stage of a typical R.O. system. Sediment and carbon filtration is
normally included with an R.O. system, with each stage of filtration
contributing to the purification process. The first stage of filtration is the
sediment filter, which reduces suspended particles such as dirt, dust, and rust.
The second stage of filtration is the carbon filter, or filters which reduce
volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), chlorine, and other taste and odor causing
compounds. The main component of Reverse Osmosis is the membrane. It is
responsible for rejecting up to 98% of the total dissolved solids or TDS in the
water. This is where the purification takes place.
2. What Is Meant By Total Dissolved Solids?
In the natural cycle of water, water
that began its life as rain and eventually found its way to your tap has come in
contact with many sources of potential contaminants. The various minerals and
salts that have been dissolved by the water during this cycle are called Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS).
3. What Type Of Mineral Contaminants Are Removed By R.O.?
|
Contaminants |
Average Influent
Concentration
(mg/L) |
Average Effluent
Concentration
(mg/L) |
Average Percent
Reduction |
Maximum
Effluent
Concentratin
(mg/L) |
|
Arsenic |
0.28 |
0.0035 |
98.7 |
0.0052 |
|
Barium |
10.2 |
0.207 |
97.9 |
0.3 |
|
Cadmium |
0.036 |
0.0005 |
98.6 |
0.0007 |
|
Chromium (Hexavalent) |
0.15 |
0.013 |
91.3 |
0.03 |
|
Chromium (Trivalent) |
0.17 |
0.01 |
94.1 |
0.01 |
|
Copper |
3.1 |
0.03 |
99.0 |
0.04 |
|
Cysts |
149357 #/ml |
5 # /ml |
89.99 |
17 #/ml |
|
Turbidity |
10.2 |
0.26 |
97.5 |
0.83 |
|
Fluidity |
8.0 |
0.5 |
93.9 |
0.7 |
|
Fluoride |
0.15 |
0.002 |
98.6 |
0.003 |
|
Lead |
0.10 |
0.003 |
96.5 |
0.005 |
|
Perchlorate |
25 pCi/l |
5 pCi/l |
80.0 |
5 pCi/.l |
|
Radium 226/228 |
0.10 |
0.10 |
92 |
0.011 |
|
TDS |
790 |
24 |
97 |
800 |
4. What is the Difference Between Faucet-Mount / Pitchers and Reverse Osmosis?
Faucet-Mount and Pitcher filtration systems on the market are able to reduce
certain contaminates from your water. Some units include additional filter media
that will reduce some heavy metals as well. These type of devices are limited to
the types of contaminates that they can effectively removed from your water
based upon the type and amount of carbon contained within the filter.
Contaminate comparision chart for Reverse Osmosis to Faucet Mount/Pitchers
|
Contaminates |
Reverse Osmosis |
Standard
Filtration
Products |
Faucet Mount and
Pitchers |
|
Arsenic (Pentavalent)<300 ppb Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Perchiorate |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Barium Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Cadmium Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
copper Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Cyst Reduction |
√ |
√ |
√(Faucet) |
|
Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Fluoride Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Lead Reduction |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Selenium Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
TDS REduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Chromium (Trivalent) Reduction |
√ |
X |
X |
|
Turbidity Reduction |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Chlorine (taste and odor only) |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results |
15 Reductions out of 15 |
4 Reductions out of 15 |
4 Reductions out of 15 |
5. Does R.O. Remove Parasites Such As Bacteria, Cysts Or Cryptosporidium?
While a
health claim can not be made because of intangibles such as regular maintenance,
these items are too large to pass through the TFM membrane. NSF's rating for
reduction of Giardia Cysts and Cryptosporidium is 1 micron, and the TFM membrane
filters down to 1/10,000th of a micron. That is 10,000 times smaller than these
parasites.
6. What Happens To The Impurities That Were In The Water?
They are washed down the
drain. Unlike filters, the R.O. membrane is self-cleaning. As the source water
flows through the module, it is divided into two streams. One stream is forced
through the membrane by osmotic pressure created due to the water pressure on
each side of the semi-permeable membrane. The second stream carries the rejected
salts, dissolved pollutants and contaminates to the drain. Therefore, there is a
minimum accumulation of debris on the pressure side of the membrane. Charcoal or
carbon filters, on the other hand, become less efficient with each glass of
water drawn through them. Carbon filters only remove a limited number of
contaminants, some odors, and some tastes.
7. What Is The Importance Of Water Pressure To An R.O. System?
It is the pressure
of water that forces the water through the membrane for purification and flushes
the rejected solids away. Low water pressure will result in reduced production
and premature fouling of the membrane. The ideal pressure for operating an R.O.
system is 60 PSI. Pressure below 40 PSI is generally considered insufficient,
and should be boosted using a pressure booster pump.
8. Will Iron Hurt An R.O.?
Yes. Iron will plug a R.O. membrane, as the membrane is
not able to flush iron out. Trace amounts of iron (up to 2 PPM) can be removed
by a water softener. If the water contains 1 PPM or less, there is no need for
concern as the membrane will usually last 1-2 years. Note: This refers to clear
water iron, not red iron. The difference is that clear water iron leaves no
visible signs, whereas red iron leaves a reddish brown discoloration in toilet
bowls, tanks, sinks and tubs. If red iron is present, steps to remove the iron
will have to be taken, otherwise the warranty will be void.
9. Is It Necessary To Change The Filters In The R.O. System Every Six Months?
Yes.
It is highly recommended. The R.O. system has been designed to operate best to
give high quality purified water with normal routine maintenance. By changing
the pre-filters on a regular six-month basis, you will eliminate dirt and
chemicals in the water that will plug the membrane. After six months of use, the
carbon filters can have bacteria growing within the filter media. Your local
water conditions may necessitate more frequent filter changes.
10. Does The R.O. Unit Have To Be Mounted Under The Kitchen Sink?
No. The R.O.
system can be mounted in a cabinet to either side of the kitchen sink or even
mounted remotely in a garage or basement.
11. How Far Can A Line Be Run From The R.O. Unit?
Approximately 20-25 feet
with ΒΌ" POLY tubing. For runs longer than that, use 3/8" POLY tubing. Tubing
that runs from the R.O. system to the icemaker should always be POLY tubing, not
copper.
12. Why Not Use Copper Tubing For The Line To The Icemaker?
Due to R.O. water being
very pure, it is what is known as agressive water. R.O. water can leach the
minerals out of the copper tubing and may cause a metallic taste in the ice
cubes and over a period of time, the copper tubing can develop pinhole leaks.
13. What are some ways I will notice my RO system is working?
You will be able to
tell by the taste and clarity of the water. For example, ice cubes made with the
R.O. water are harder, clearer, and last much longer. If you take two clean
glasses of the same size and put ice cubes made with R.O. water in one and the
same number of ice cubes made from tap water in the other, you will notice that
it takes longer for the R.O. ice cubes to melt. Not only do ice cubes made with
R.O. water last longer but coffee, teas, juices and mixed drinks made with R.O.
water taste better.
14. I Have A Water Softener; Doesn't That Treat My Drinking Water?
No. A water
softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water and is usually installed
at the point-of-entry (P.O.E.) of the water to the house. A water softener is
good for the home's plumbing and water related appliances, but does little to
improve the taste or quality of your drinking water.
15. Will A Water Softener Harm The Reverse Osmosis (R.O.)?
No. Calcium and
magnesium (limescale) are two of the hardest minerals for the R.O. membrane to
remove. Sodium (added to the water by the softener) is much easier on the
membrane and it will reject 98% of all sodium in the water. A water softener
will help extend the life of the membrane.
16. Will An R.O. Soften Water? Yes. R.O. water is softened through the reverse
osmosis purification process; however hard water (above 7 grains of hardness)
will shorten the life of the membrane. The harder the water, the shorter the
life. Example: If you incoming water is 14 grains hard, you may only get 2 years
of life from your membrane.
17. " I've seen RO systems that cost less than yours? "
Yes, we could sell cheaper
versions of the RO system but thats exactly what you'd get ; A CHEAPER VERSION.
If you have done any research to this point you will have discovered that 1.
Quality water is essential to life , 2. Reverse Osmosis is by far the best way
to achive high quality clean healthy water, and 3. Your RO system is only as
good as the parts you put in them, the service you give them, and the company
you buy them from.
Customer satisfaction matters to us.