Water purification system?

[StephenB]

I've been giving serious thought to installing a small under sink reverse osmosis system. These systems have become affordable, but will they do the trick in Playa? My knowledge of chemistry is limited to barley, hops and malt and grapes and tannins Will these systems get rid of Montezumas nasties? Thanks in advance.

[Jan&Chas]

Originally Posted by StephenB

I've been giving serious thought to installing a small under sink reverse osmosis system. These systems have become affordable, but will they do the trick in Playa? My knowledge of chemistry is limited to barley, hops and malt and grapes and tannins Will these systems get rid of Montezumas nasties? Thanks in advance.

My ex husband and my son have opened up a business with a new water purification system like what you are talking about. The ex has a friend who is a scientist who invented this type of water purification system. It is a very small unit and from what he tells me, it gets rid of everything! The guy invented and patent it and they are marketing it for him. good luck.

[Michael]

Reverse osmosis purification can improve both the taste and quality of your water; a good one can reduce up to 99% of the chlorine, as well as objectionable odors and sediment. Reverse osmosis water filtration also reduces the following hard water contaminants that may be present in your water: lead, copper, barium, chromium, mercury, sodium, cadmium, fluoride, nitrite, nitrate, and selenium.

This is a common warning for most systems:
Not for use where water is microbiologically unsafe or with water of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the unit.

All membranes used in home-size RO units are enclosed in a cartridge and are usually either hollow fiber or spiral wound. Spiral wound membranes, more common in home systems, are designed to treat water with high levels of suspended solids. Hollow fiber membranes are easily clogged by hard water, but they require less space and are somewhat easier to maintain than the spiral wound configuration.

If you want to try using one of these in Playa you will be dealing with high levels of suspended solids (the real reason you don’t want to drink the water).

Since extra tap water is needed to regenerate membranes, large home RO systems may result in significant increases in water use and fees. For example, a 10 gallon-a-day RO system with a 20% efficiency rating will require 1,500 gallons of extra water use each month. Additionally, if water softening is needed prior to RO treatment, those costs also should be considered.

The water in Playa has a very high concentration CaC03. I’ve seen lumps of lime stone in my system and have even had it (almost) block my pipes.

My recommendation for Playa, Understand your plumbing system and make sure there is no run off draining into your cistern, or pipes (water delivered to the property by CAPA should be microbiologically safe). Put a good quality particle filter at the front end of your water system (before the water enters the residence) and that should minimize the chance of a clogged pipe and perhaps extend the life of your water heater. And drink bottled water, it tastes better.