As you become more aware of the benefits of pure water, the demand for equipment capable of treating your water supply grows. Simultaneously, acceptance of reverse osmosis (RO) is increasing demand for Whole House or Commercial RO systems.

With a Whole House/Commercial RO water system from The Good Water Company (A division of Porta Via Water Company, LLC), users obtaining water from a low-quality well can enjoy water with lower total dissolved solids (TDS), not just lower hardness.

There are different categories of Whole House/Commercial Reverse Osmosis Systems: Regular Water Systems. Under the sink Reverse Osmosis units operate under the same principles as Commercial Reverse Osmosis, but are much less complicated and smaller.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Offer:

The Reverse Osomsis process uses membranes to remove dissolved solids, organics, pyrogens and bacteria from water. Reverse Osmosis also removes sodium, chloride, hardness, fertilizers, insecticides, arsenic, heavy metals and many other contaminants.   Most importantly, Reverse Osmosis Systems reduce total dissolved solids (TDS).

A Commercial Reverse Osmosis system typically consists of five stages:

1. Pretreatment

2. The Reverse Osmosis system, including the membranes that remove almost all of the dissolved solids

3. An atmospheric storage tank for the Reverse Osmosis permeate.

4. A pressurization system to distribute the Reverse Osmosis water to the home.

5. Post-treatment.

Pretreatment methods are determined through a water analysis. The Good Water Company (A division of Porta Via Water Company, LLC) has done extensive testing in many areas of the country and has a good idea of what to expect from some areas. Other water treatment dealers may have information on expected contaminants in nearby water supplies. Pretreatment is crucial to the proper functioning of a Reverse Osmosis system and can vary from well to well. The Good Water Company (A division of Porta Via Water Company, LLC) recommends a detailed analysis of the quality of water so a proper recommendation of pretreatment can be made. A detailed water analysis can be obtained for about $150. With proper pre-treatment and equipment, it is not hard to achieve Reverse Osmosis efficiencies of up to 70%, that is for every 10 gallons drawn, 7 gallons are purified and available for use.

Pretreatment may be as simple as a sediment filter or as detailed as an anti-scalent feeder for very hard water in high efficiency Reverse Osmosis systems. Most water supplies serving homes have been filtered to remove total suspended solids (TSS - note different from TDS), but in some cases filtration must be provided to remove suspended solids as well.

The pretreatment ensures feed water entering the Reverse Osmosis is free of sediment and free of agents harmful to the Reverse Osmosis membrane and pressure vessel, and the concentrate adjustment valve.

The high pressure pump forces water into the pressure vessel which houses the membrane. The membrane consists of tiny holes as small as 0.0006 microns. As the water is pushed through these small holes, pollutants in the water stay behind and are washed away by water escaping the pressure vessel.

Approximate rejection rates of common impurities by Reverse Osmosis systems

Percent Removed (typical)

Atmospheric storage tanks enable the system to meet peak water demand when demand exceeds the rate at which the Reverse Osmosis can produce water. For example, a typical 800 gallon per day system produces 2/3 gallons per minute, not enough for a load of laundry or a shower. To store water for use, Reverse Osmosis permeate is collected in an atmospheric storage tank.Typically, the storage tank is between 200 and 500 gallons of water. A liquid level switch in the tank turns the Reverse Osmosis pump "on" when the water level in the tank drops and "off" when the tank is full.

Because the tank is vented to the atmosphere, contaminants may enter, causing bacterial growth that's controlled with ozone or chlorine. Otherwise, water can be sterilized with an ultraviolet sterilizer after it leaves the tank.

Pressurization systems include a pump and a bladder tank to pressurize the house with water stored in atmospheric storage. Water pressure for the house can be adjusted to be greater than the pressure of the feed line into the house, or less.

Post-treatment can incorporate many processes. Permeate (the good water coming out of the Reverse Osmosis system) can be passed through a granular activated carbon tank to improve the taste and odor of the water if the application requires. Carbon can also remove trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas in water.

Depending on the pH of the feed water, Reverse Osmosis can decrease the pH leaving it slightly acidic. Acidic water can corrode piping and fixtures. A calcium carbonate tank can be used to increase the pH.

Gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, will pass through the Reverse Osmosis system. These can be removed by aeration. Please call us Toll Free 877-262-5191, International 316-262-5191, or click here to contact us with any further questions.