Comments on: What is the best drinking water system?

By: mark

mark — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:18:50 +0000

Pam,

It could be any number of things, but I would change the filters first, since it has been over a year. Also check the incoming TDS and the TDS through your RO system. If it’s not rejecting 85%, you should replace the membrane.

It also could be a bad tank or a bad Auto Shut-off Valve.

By: Pam Vasquez

Pam Vasquez — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:52:25 +0000

Our Culligan reverse osmosis system stopped
working (no water in the tank) while we were on vacation and so did out icemaker. I called our plumber to find out if there was a problem with water not entering each system. He found that water was indeed entering and after he left, the icemaker started working and continues to work.
Before we call Culligan, we would like to know if
you might have an idea as to what the problem is.
We have not changed the filters for over a year?

Thanks in advance.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:19:38 +0000

1. Change filters and membranes as needed based upon water usage;
2. It can be mounted anywhere (that it won’t get wet or freeze);
3. 1-year warranty;
4. Any plumber can install it – we just suggest that they talk with us on the phone before they do it and call us with any questions. The only “dumb” question is the one they don’t ask!

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:06:31 +0000

Thanks Mark. A couple of questions about the R13.
1. What is the homeowner maintenance requirements for this type of system?
2. Can the system be mounted on an external wall or does it have to be contained in a separate building?
3. Does it have a guarantee?
4. Can any plumber install it or should they be certified?
This is the best option I have found so far. Thank you very much for your assistance.

By: mark

mark — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:29:55 +0000

Jane wrote: “I live on the coast and recently installed a 550 foot well and had a lot of salt in my water. My plumber just got my water test results back and the testing company said I have TDS at 2970/ppm and sodium at 2850/ppm. Is there any way an undersink R/O will purify my water enough for drinking from the tap?”

Jane,

An undersink RO will not typically work for this application. You will need a pressure-boosted system that will operate at 200 PSI. You will need some space for a system like this. At our website site, we have a system called the R13 that would be a good choice.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:37:43 +0000

I live on the coast and recently installed a 550 foot well and had a lot of salt in my water. My plumber just got my water test results back and the testing company said I have TDS at 2970/ppm and sodium at 2850/ppm. Is there any way an undersink R/O will purify my water enough for drinking from the tap?

By: mark

mark — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:49:47 +0000

The drain restrictor is on the outlet of the membrane, and if you changed from a 50 GPD membrane to a 100 GPD membrane you will need a bigger flow restrictor. DO NOT RUN THE RO LONG WITHOUT THE PRIPER FLOW RESTRICTOR AS IT WILL RUIN IT!

You will need a flow restrictor like the one here:

http://store.uswatersystems.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=uswater&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=86498439&Count2=3638863&ProductID=252&Target=products.asp

You will need the 350 ml restrictor. If you do not have a flow restrictor like this, then it is in the elbow coming out of the membrane. Unscrew that elbow and pull out the flow restrictor plug, re-tape with teflon and screw it back in. Then install the above drain restrictor on the drain line.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:56:57 +0000

Mark,
I am sorry that I forgot to tell you that I did completly empty the current tank, let it fill, and empty it again to get the 44 TDS reading on my new “HM digital” TDS-4 meter.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:52:52 +0000

Hi Mark,
Thanks so much for sharing your time and expertise!!

My tap water TDS is 547. This is from a KDF whole house filter system with a 1 micron carbon block final output filter.

I did not change the drain flow restrictor since I do not even know what it is

But, all I did was to replace the TF-1812-50 with another TF-1812-50. (I did notice that the original had more windings of membrane than the replacement)

Again, thanks for your assistance.
–Jim

By: mark

mark — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:44:16 +0000

Jim,

There should be very little difference between the membranes, except that the 100 GPD should make more water. The quality should be very close. When a new membrane is installed, there is usally a little elevation of the TDS until the membrane and tank are completely flushed. Secondly, what is your incoming TDS? You should get at least 90-95% rejection, and finally, did you change your drain flow restrictor? If you make more water, you need to flush more to drain.