1. Do we not need minerals in our drinking water?

2. What happens to the impurities that were in the water?

3. Is there are lot of water that is washed down the drain?

4. How often does the reverse osmosis membrane have to be changed?

5. Do you use charcoal or carbon filtration in your units?

6. How often do the filters need to be changed?

7. How does our R/O water purification system work?

8. What exactly are the pollutants that the reverse osmosis process removes, and how much does it really eliminate?

1. Do we not need minerals in our drinking water?

The role of minerals in drinking water is a subject on which there is still much controversy. In fact, there is some disagreement among even health authorities. In order that you may form your own educated opinion on this subject, the following information is provided.

Almost all of the minerals in water are dissolved, i.e. they are in solution with the water. The standard measure of such dissolved minerals, salts, and heavy metals in water is called TDS (total dissolved solids). These various substances are not derived from plant or animal matter and are therefore said to be inorganic. In addition to minerals, ‘salts’ such as (calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorides, sulphates, and bicarbonates) and nuisance minerals that cause stains (iron and manganese), there are also potentially more toxic minerals such as: aluminium, arsenic, asbestos, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, mercury, nitrate, selenium, silver, zinc, and others. While many of these substances have a role to play in nutrition, these minerals found in the water are inorganic. This makes them not as biologically acceptable to the human body as are the organic forms of minerals found in foods and quality mineral supplements. It is possible for a build-up of these to accumulate in one’s organs, causing such problems as kidney stones.

Plants have the unique ability to covert inorganic substances absorbed from the soil and water into organic forms that our bodies can digest and use. In food, these useful minerals are linked with proteins and natural sugars (e.g. calcium lactate – found in milk). In water, the minerals exist in salt form (e.g. calcium carbonate). Our bodies can sue few, if any, of the minerals dissolved in water.

There are absolutely no minerals found in water that cannot be obtained from other food sources in a well-balanced diet.

On average, over 95% of the major and trace minerals ingested daily (by weight) come from foods (fruits, vegetables, animal products) – and less than 5% from our drinking water (based on an average daily consumption of two quarts of tap water).

Even if the minerals in water were in a more readily digestible form, their amount is small compared to that found in foods. For example, an 8 ounce glass of milk typically contains more calcium and magnesium than 5 gallons of tap water.

^top

2. What happens to the impurities that were in the water?

They are washed down the drain. Unlike filters, the reverse osmosis membrane is self-cleaning; as it flows through the module, the source water is divided into two streams. One stream is forced through the membrane by diffusion because of the water pressure. The second stream acts as the ‘blow down’ and carries away the rejected salts, particle matters, and the other impurities to the drain. Therefore, there is no accumulation of the debris on the pressure side of the membrane at a function time. The face of the membrane always stays clean.

^top

3. Is there are lot of water that is washed down the drain?

If you are concerned about the cost, it’s a small matter. A unit running on average of 8 hours a day will increase your water bill approximately 75 to 95 cents a month. That’s not much to pay for pure water for drinking and cooking.

^top

4. How often does the reverse osmosis membrane have to be changed?

This, of course, is contingent on the quality of your tap water. However, generally a reverse osmosis membrane will last from two to five years when processing average municipal water. Ask about a water softener, which will also ensure maximum membrane life.

^top

5. Do you use charcoal or carbon filtration in your units?

Yes, we use a Granular Activated Carbon filter of high capacity for the pre-filter and an inline high-capacity Carbon filter on the product water side of the membrane. Carbon removes any vestige of taste and odour that might possibly remain in the water and gives it a ‘high polish’, which is the reason it has such a crystal-clear appearance.

^top

6. How often do the filters need to be changed?

Depending on your tap water quality, these filters are recommended to be changed as follows: the Sediment Pre-Filter between 6-12 months, Pre- and Post-Carbon filters between 12-18 months.

^top

7. How does our R/O water purification system work?

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how we start by taking the ‘safe’ local municipal water and process it using the best quality filters to deliver the freshest tasting pure water:

• First, the water goes through a five micron sediment filter to reduce dirt, dust, rust, algae, and other particulates
• It then passes through a water softener, which softens the water by reducing the hard minerals
• Thirdly, the water progressed through KDF filtering media and activated carbon to reduce chlorine, heavy metals, bad tastes, and odours
• Next, it goes through a five micron coconut carbon block filter to further reduce chlorine and any VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Now for the most important part, the reverse osmosis membrane. This is the ultra purification process to reduce TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) (i.e. minerals and metals), chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and many other dissolved matters by up to 98%.
• The processed water is then accumulated in a holding tank. Before being dispensed, it then undergoes the following finishing steps:
• After that comes the five micron coconut carbon filter again to reduce any taste and odour that may have arisen whilst in the tank, and make the water fresh-tasting.
• Following the coconut carbon is a one micron sediment filter to make sure the water is crystal clear.
• Finally, the water is passed through an ultra violet system to ensure that the water being dispensed is totally free of any bacteria and viruses.

^top

8. What exactly are the pollutants that the reverse osmosis process removes, and how much does it really eliminate?

The reverse osmosis system can remove the following average rates of pollutants:

^top