FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Drinking Water Systems
Can I hook it up to my ice maker?
Yes–in most cases we can connect directly to your refrigerator. Connecting the system will extend the life of your ice maker and make clearer, great tasting ice. You can turn your fridge into a Culligan “Water and Ice Machine”.
Does the system require any maintenance or service?
Yes–We recommend annual service. Our service technician will test your water each time, replace necessary filters and sanitize the system. For More information see Reverse Osmosis and Filter Change Tips.
What is an RO system?
A typical system consists of:
- One or more pre-filters to remove silt, iron, chlorine or other particulate matter.
- A membrane to remove raw water contaminates.
- A pressure sensitive hydraulic on/off pressure valve to send pre-filtered water to the membrane to make treated water for storage.
- A small storage tank for treated water.
- May include a post-filter to polish stored water and to maximize its taste just prior to consumption.
What factors affect an RO system?
Permeate flux and salt rejection are the key performance parameters of the reverse osmosis process. They are mainly influenced by variable parameters such as; pressure, temperature, recovery, and feed water salt concentration.
Water Pressure–Increased feed water pressure will increase permeate flux and decrease the permeate TDS. With excessive pressure the membrane may become deformed or compacted and a decrease in product flow will result.
Temperature–Increased temperature will increase permeate flux, which increases salt passage. It is also important to note that every unit is rated for a product flow temperature of 77
Recovery–The recovery is the ratio of the permeate flow to the feed flow. When recovery is increased, the permeate flux will decrease and the salt passage will increase.
Feed water Concentration–Increased TDS or salt concentrations will decrease permeate flux and increase salt passage. This can also lead to surface coating or fouling by the salt.
How does an RO system know when to produce water?
A standard RO System has a hydraulic on/off pressure valve which is controlled by source water pressure to send pre-filtered water to the membrane to make water for storage.
When water pressure in the storage tank builds up to 90% of the incoming line pressure, the standard hydraulic on/off pressure valve shuts off the flow of water to the system, stopping treated water production. When you open the RO faucet, system pressure drops as treated water exits the tank. The standard hydraulic on/off pressure valve turns on when the tank pressure is less than the source water pressure and treated water is produced through the RO system. The cycle repeats itself.
What does a typical RO take out of water?
| Chemicals | Reduces by | Other Contaminants | Reduces by |
| THMs (chloroform) | 95% | barium | 97% |
| benzene | 83% | bicarbonate | 94% |
| carbon tetrachloride | 87% | cadmium | 97% |
| p-dichlorobenzene | 93% | calcium | 97% |
| TCE (trichloroethylene) | 98% | chromate | 92% |
| 1, 1-dichloroethylene | 86% | copper | 97% |
| 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane | 93% | detergents | 97% |
| 1, 2-dichloropropene | 95% | fluoride | 90% |
| cis-1,3-dichloropropene | 95% | lead | 97% |
| chlorobenzene | 95% | magnesium | 97% |
| ethylbenzene | 95% | nickel | 97% |
| hexachlorobutadiene | 95% | nitrates | 80% |
| ortho-xylene | 95% | total dissolved solids | 95% |
| PCE (tetrachloroethylene | 95% | potassium | 92% |
| toluene | 95% | radium | 97% |
| trans-1, 2-dichloroethene | 95% | selenium | 97% |
| 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane | 95% | silicate | 96% |
| 1, 2-dichlorobenzene | 95% | silver | 85% |
| 1, 2-dichloropropane | 95% | sodium | 92% |
| 1, 1-dichloroethane | 95% | strontium | 97% |
| chlorine | 99% | sulfate | 97% |
| EDB | 99% | PCB’s | 97% |
| DBCP | 99% | insecticides | 97% |
| Atrazine | 97% | herbicides | 97% |
Find out what is in your water with a hassle free NO Obligation Water Analysis and learn more about the benefits of drinking water systems.
