FAQ for Reverse Osmosis

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Membranes separate purified water from contaminated water. Water under high pressure is simply forced through a porous membrane in order to filter out contaminants. The size of the pores determines what contaminants will be removed. The smaller the pores, the higher filtration it does. Sediment and carbon filters are usually included with an RO system, each contributing to the purification process. The sediment filter removes larger particles such as dirt, dust, sand, etc. Anything smaller will pass through the carbon filter. Carbon removes minerals or the more organic substances that the sediment filter could not absorb. The carbon filter reduces/removes the taste and odor causing combination in your tap water.

What Is Total Dissolved Solids?
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are the various minerals and salts that have been dissolved during a natural cycle of water that originally began as rain.

What Contaminants Are Removed By R.O.?
Reduction of mineral components that make up total dissolved solids will vary up to a maximum of 99.8% depending on water chemistry and pressure.

What is the Difference Between Faucet-Mount Filters, Pitcher Filters and Reverse Osmosis?
Faucet-Mount and Pitcher filtration systems on the market are able to reduce certain contaminates from your water based upon the use of granular activated carbon, or in some cases carbon blocks. 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 with in the filter. Faucet-mount filters are literally screwed on the faucet to filter. Pitcher filters is what it sounds like and Reverse Osmosis usually goes under the sink or countertop as a larger unit that sends the water to the faucet.

Contaminate comparison chart for Reverse Osmosis to Faucet Mount/Pitchers.

Does R.O. Remove Parasites Such As Bacteria, Cysts Or Cryptosporidium?
Bacteria, Cysts, and Cryptosporidium are all too large to pass through the TFM membrane. NSF’s rating for reduction of Cysts and Cryptosporidium is 1 micron but the TFM membrane filters down to 1/10,000 of a micron, which is a lot smaller than the parasites.

What`s The Difference Between A CTA And TFM Membrane?
A CTA (Cellulose Triacetate) membrane is a paper by-product membrane bonded to a synthetic layer. Due to its cellulose composition, a CTA membrane requires chlorine in the water source to keep bacteria from forming on it. A CTA membrane has a rejection rate of between 85-94%. CTA membranes have an average life expectancy of 18-24 months and are considered inferior to TFM membranes. Premier only uses TFM (Thin Film Membrane) membranes, which are made of a synthetic material. A TFM membrane requires the chlorine be removed prior to the water entering the membrane. A TFM membrane has a rejection percentage between 95-98%, which is much higher than the CTA membrane. A TFM membrane will last between 2-5 years. Many hospitals use TFM membranes in their hemo-dialysis (kidney) machines because of the higher purity water they produce.

What Happens To The Impurities That Were In The Water?
Product waste ration is 1:4. For every product gallon you get, 4 gallons goes down the drain. Reverse Osmosis membranes are self-cleaning. The water flows through the module which is divided into two streams. One stream is water forced through a membrane by osmosis pressure and the second stream carries the rejected water down the drain.

Isn`t Water Wasted Down The Drain With R.O. Systems?
There is a certain percentage of water from the system that goes to the drain. This water is carrying away the impurities. These particles are too small to be caught by the filters. Premier has an automatic shut-off valve that shuts off the flow of water to the drain when the holding tank is full. This valve stops the R.O. system from continuously running water down the drain, thus conserving water via the R.O. system working only according to usage.

Can This Water Be Saved And Used?
Yes. Most wastewater today is recycled for golf courses and artificial lakes. The drain water is slightly higher in TDS concentration than the incoming water, but as R.O. does not add anything to the water, it can be used to water your lawn or garden.

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.

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.

Is It Necessary To Change The Filters In The R.O. System Every Six Months?
Yes. It is highly recommended. Membranes get plugged and after six months, the carbon filters can have bacteria growing within the media. Even if you haven’t used them to its maximum capacity, it is still recommended because bacteria will build up. You will be able to tell because it will become insufficient in improving your water’s taste and smell quality.

Can Any Other Filters Be Used In A R.O. System?
Yes. Any brand can be used in R.O. systems, just as long as they are the correct size.

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.

What Are The Dimensions Of The R.O. System?
The module part of the R.O. system measures: 15 ¾" Tall x 17" Wide x 5 ¼" Deep for standard 5 stage unit. The storage tank measures: 11" Diameter x 14" Tall.

How Far Can A Line Be Run From The R.O. Unit?
Approximately 20-25 feet with ¼" 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.

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 "hungry 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.

How Will I Know The R.O. Is Removing The Dissolved Solids From The Tap Water?
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 juices and mixed drinks made with R.O. water taste better. When ice cubes made from tap water are melted in a glass, you will most likely see unsightly sediments on the bottom. This is not so with R.O. water. Another way of determining the amount of dissolved solids removed from tap water is by the use of a conductivity meter. This meter measures the conductivity the dissolved solids impart to the water. This is converted on the meter scale into parts per million of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Premier offers a water sample kit for the testing of a customer`s water to determine how the TFM membrane is working and when to replace the membrane.

I Have A Water Softener; Doesn`t That Treat My Drinking Water?
No, a water softener only removes calcium and magnesium from the water and is usually installed at the point of entry of the house water. It is ideal for home plumbing and water related appliances, but it does little to improve the taste or quality of drinking water.

Will A Water Softener Harm The Reverse Osmosis (R.O.)?
No, because the R.O. membrane works the hardest when it comes to removing calcium and magnesium. Sodium is a lot easier on the membrane and it will reject 98% of all sodium found in the water. A water softener will only help extend the life of the membrane.

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 15 grains hard, you may only get 2-3 years of life from your membrane.