Reverse Osmosis Systems

Standard RO systems have a 4:1 waste ratio — for every 1 gallon of purified water produced, approximately 4 gallons are discharged as wastewater (brine). This wastewater contains the concentrated rejected contaminants and goes down the drain. For a family using 2–3 gallons of drinking water per day, that's 8–12 gallons of wastewater — a modest amount. Higher-efficiency RO membranes can achieve 2:1 or even 1:1 ratios. We can discuss efficiency options if water conservation is a priority for your household.

Yes — an RO membrane removes virtually all dissolved solids, including beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium (which contribute to a good taste). The resulting water is very low in minerals and TDS (total dissolved solids). For most customers this is a net positive — the water tastes clean and pure. For those who prefer a more mineral-forward taste, we offer an optional re-mineralization stage (a calcite post-filter) that adds back a precise amount of calcium and magnesium carbonate for balanced, great-tasting water. This is the approach used by most premium bottled water brands.

An under-sink RO system treats water at a single point of use — typically your kitchen sink — for drinking and cooking. It is the most cost-effective way to get the highest purity drinking water and is what most residential customers need. A whole-house RO system treats all water entering the home, which is primarily used in commercial applications (car washes, medical facilities, food production) or in situations with severe contamination from a well. For most homes, a whole-house carbon filter handles shower and appliance water, while an under-sink RO handles drinking water — giving you the best of both approaches at the most reasonable cost.

Our 5-stage system uses three types of media with different replacement schedules: Stage 1 (sediment) and Stage 2 (carbon block) pre-filters should be replaced every 6–12 months. The Stage 3 RO membrane lasts 2–3 years under normal usage (longer with pre-filtered, low-TDS water). The Stage 4 and 5 post-filters should be replaced annually. We include a filter replacement schedule with every installation and offer an annual filter service plan where we send a technician to your home with fresh filters — at no service call fee, of course.

RO systems use a pressurized storage tank (3.2 gallons in our standard system) to deliver water at normal faucet pressure. The flow rate from the dedicated RO faucet is slightly lower than a standard faucet — typically 0.5–1 gallon per minute — but is perfectly adequate for filling glasses, pots, coffee makers, and ice makers. The RO system runs continuously at low flow to refill the tank, so there is always purified water available on demand. If you need higher flow for a specific application, we can size a larger tank or a permeate pump system.