Beauchamp Water Treatment Blogspot: Reverse Osmosis: What is it and why you should have one.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Reverse Osmosis: What is it and why you should have one.

Reverse Osmosis is a filtration method where water is forced through a semi permeable membrane to reduce total dissolved solids and contaminants to supply fresh drinking water. A typical residential reverse osmosis system will have 3 to 5 stages of filtration consisting of a 5 micron pre-filter or Carbon block filter, Reverse Osmosis Membrane, Activated carbon post filter, In-line post carbon filter and holding tank. The pre-filter is simply designed to remove sediment and some particulates before the membrane or protect the membrane from chlorinated water supplies with a Carbon block pre-filter. The RO membrane is the primary stage of filtration and removes up to 99% of contaminants in the water. Many of these contaminants are VOC’s (Volatile Organic Chemicals) which the carbon filtration stage is designed to reduce/remove and polish the water as a final phase before delivery to the faucet or refrigerator.

The Reverse Osmosis Process:

The RO membrane consists of many layers of spiral wound filaments which restrict the passage of contaminants and force them to the drain. The product water is drawn from the inside of the membrane and sent to a storage tank before it goes through final carbon filtration as it goes to the RO faucet or refrigerator. A typical residential Reverse Osmosis system can make anywhere from 10-75 gallons per day of high quality water depending on the TDS (Total dissolved solids) of the incoming water supply, feed pressure and temperature of the water. Generally the higher the TDS less product water and lower quality water will be created. For high TDS water a “Booster Pump” is used to boost the incoming water pressure to the membrane to improve quality and quantity of water produced.

Cutaway of a Reverse Osmosis Membrane and RO Membrane in filter housing:

Particulate size removal chart for a Reverse Osmosis system:

Diagram of a Reverse Osmosis System installation under a sink:

When feasible it is recommended to have the reverse osmosis system installed in the basement for easy maintenance, filter changes and to not tie up valuable space under the sink. Larger storage tanks can be used when installed in the basement and product tanks can even be hung in the floor joists to help with water pressure to the RO faucet and refrigerator. Delivery pumps can also be used to boost the pressure from the storage tank to run water across the basement, operate refrigerators efficiently and supply higher pressure to multiple locations and RO faucets. RO filters are changed every 6-12 months and the RO membrane is changed every 3-7 years depending on water usage and incoming water quality to the RO. Filters changes will run anywhere from $60 up to $120 depending on the RO system. RO membranes generally cost $80 to $120. Anyone can change these filters but there are certain procedures that need to be followed when changing RO filters to protect against bacterial cross contamination from our hands that can potentially contaminate the RO. Periodic sanitizing of the complete RO system is recommended to prevent possible contamination.

There are three styles of residential reverse osmosis systems:

1. Basic RO system with 3-5 stages of filtration

2. 3-4 stage RO system with one piece manifold

3. 3-5 stage RO system with quick change filters

Reverse Osmosis storage tanks come in many sizes to accommodate necessary water storage:

Rather than getting into the histrionics about all the dangerous things that can potentially be in our water and how they can be hazardous to our health, let’s just address ONE fact. We all need to drink more water! Our Doctors tell us that, our bodies tell us that every time we get thirsty and we all need to get away from drinking so many sugary drinks, energy drinks, coffee, drinks with artificial sweeteners, etc. Dehydration is actually the number one contributor to health related issues. Our bodies are over 80% water so keeping hydrated is of the utmost importance and drinking water is the only way to rehydrate.

Having to constantly buy water, be it five gallon bottles or cases of bottled water for drinking, is time consuming, expensive and a pain to constantly be chasing water or scheduling delivery not to mention finding the space to store it all. All of us need to drink more water and many of us are, evidenced by the bottled water that is flying off store shelves and being delivered weekly to households. The bottled water industry has been growing by nearly 10% annually. Hey, we are paying $1.00 or more for a twelve ounce bottle of water! At that rate gasoline would be over $10 per gallon! That is just ridiculous and on top of that bottled water is very loosely regulated for quality and potability. A Reverse Osmosis drinking water system is the answer to this problem. It's the most practical way of giving us all the quality water we need (AT PENNIES PER GALLON) and will give your family high quality drinking water 24/7, 365 days a year. So do yourself a favor! Go buy a Reverse Osmosis system for your family and DRINK UP there is plenty of water for everyone!

Here are some helpful links pertaining to reverse osmosis, drinking water contaminants, drinking water regulations and concerns about what may be in our water.

Wikipedia - What is Reverse Osmosis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis

EPA - Drinking water contaminants

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm

EPA - Ground water and Drinking water

http://water.epa.gov/drink/

Wikipedia - Contaminant levels

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_Contaminant_Level

How Stuff Works - Reverse Osmosis

http://science.howstuffworks.com/reverse-osmosis.htm

Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply

http://www.beauchampwater.com/