FAQ

Q. WHAT DOES REVERSE OSMOSIS DRINKING WATER TASTE LIKE?

The taste of R.O. water depends on the amount of contaminants in the tap water originally. If 90% of dissolved minerals and chemicals ar removed, the R.O. water may taste like distilled water (no minerals), bottled water (low mineral content), or natural spring water (moderate mineral content).

Q. HOW WILL R.O. WATER AFFECT MIXED BEVERAGES?

Because reverse osmosis removes invisible contaminants that mask flavor, it allows the natural taste of your beverages to come through. You will be able to use less coffee and still get the full flavor. Concentrated beverages like orange juice will taste tangier. You will probably be drinking a lot more water as well, since many people drink soda, Kool-Aid, concentrated juices, and beer as an alternative to bad-tasting tap water.

Also, R.O. water eliminates most of the lime buildup on drip coffee makers, preventing the need for frequent cleaning. No longer will you find the white scum on the inside of pans after boiling water.

Q. WHAT QUALITY OF ICE CUBES WILL AN R.O. SYSTEM PRODUCE?

Our H₂RO SYSTEM will make good tasting ice cubes since it removes most of the contaminants in the water. No more grit! (Note: you won't be able to tell the purity of the ice cubes by their appearance. If your freezer is very cold, your ice cubes will freeze rapidly. Freezing starts on all surfaces and air bubbles are trapped in the middle, so the cubes do not look clear. However, if your freezer is not quite so cold, your ice cubes will freeze slowly and allow the air to escape.)

Q. WHAT FACTORS AFFECT THE OUANTITY AND THE QUALITY OF THE WATER PRODUCED?

There are four major variables to consider:

1. PRESSURE. The greater the water pressure, the better the quantity and quality of the water produced. If the quality of your incoming water is average (between 300 and 700 parts per million of Total Dissolved Solids), you will need water pressure of 40 psi. (If your pressure is less than that, we carry a FilmTec membrane which may work for you or you can buy a booster pump from us.) Water pressure of 60 psi is ideal.

2. TEMPERATURE. 76 degrees is the ideal water temperature for R.O.; 40 degree water will cause the production of R.O. water to fall to half of that at 76. The maximum water temperature recommended is 85 degrees.

3. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS). The higher the amount of dissolved contaminants in the water, the lower the quantity of water produced. A high level of TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS can be overcome with additional water pressure.

4. MEMBRANE. Different membranes have different characteristics. Some produce more water than others; some have better contaminant rejection capabilities; some have greater resistance to chemical abrasion for longer life.

The Special Performance (SP) membranes made by FilmTec combine the best of these characteristics and are considered the finest membranes in the world. As you might expect, they are also the most expensive, but easily the best value for the performance they offer. For more information about the FilmTec membrane, please Click Here.

Q. HOW MUCH WATER DOES AN R.O. SYSTEM PRODUCE?

Currently our H₂RO System comes with a standard membrane rated to produce 36 gallon per day. (Capacity is rated under ideal circumstances. The normal production is usually half of the rated capacity or 18 gallons per day). Under adverse conditions of low water pressure, high TDS, and cold water, a consumer might receive only 3 gallons per day. But that's still a lot of water for the average household's drinking and cooking requirements. For an additional charge, you can buy a membrane which is rated to produce 75 gallons a day under ideal conditions.

Q. CAN THE WATER PRODUCTION BE INCREASED?

Yes. There are several ways:

1. At night, fill a pitcher with water from the tank. The emptier the tank the faster the water production since there is no back pressure in the tank to reduce the effective line pressure. By morning the tank will be filled with fresh water.

2. If you are on a well, you may be able to adjust your pump pressure upwards. Greater pressure will improve both the quantity and quality.

3. A larger or second membrane can be added to increase production.

4. A small booster pump can be added to increase the pressure of the water to your system.

5. You could substitute a faster-flowing membrane (up to 75 gallons per day under ideal conditions) -- for an additional cost.