How much can an RO/DI system handle?

[Cherie cook]

That's the whole-house treatment I mentioned. We can spec that once we have the lab data back. You told me the bacterial issue is already resolved, so select "No Bacterial Testing"
The Lab will test for Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Silver; Sodium, Strontium, Tannins, Vanadium, Zinc, Bromide, Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulfate, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Hardness, and Silica.
You'll want to test the pH onsite.
Does the water stick like "rotten eggs"?

Russ

But are you saying we’ll need a water softener to take care of the iron before it gets to the RO/DI?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

No...no rotten egg smell that I’ve noticed.

Good. One less contaminant (H2S) to address!

 

[Cherie cook]

Iron and RO membranes don't play well together, so it is typical to treat the iron before the water reaches the RO or RODI.
Russ

How will I treat the iron before it reaches the RODI...considering a whole house water softening system is not an option right now?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Whole-house equipment is not an option at all?

 

[Cherie cook]

Whole-house equipment is not an option at all?

Eventually, yes....but not for a few months at least. And definitely not before we move in at the end of the month.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

In that case, run the RO or RODI system as is, and assume all the filters in the unit are sacrificial. Treating hardness and iron at POU (point of use) doesn't really make sense. Remember all that crappy water is going through your water heater, dishwasher, and every plumbing fixture. If it is as bad as you describe, getting some equipment in there would be a priority, were it me.

Russ

 

[Cherie cook]

In that case, run the RO or RODI system as is, and assume all the filters in the unit are sacrificial. Treating hardness and iron at POU (point of use) doesn't really make sense. Remember all that crappy water is going through your water heater, dishwasher, and every plumbing fixture. If it is as bad as you describe, getting some equipment in there would be a priority, were it me.

Russ

I agree Russ....unfortunately it’s not my house and other financial issues have caused it to be put on a back burner. If I may ask....how much might a treatment system typically run cost wise. And is it something that could be done by a homeowner or would you have to have a plumber to do it? My son in law apparently has some plumbing knowledge (or at least he thinks he does) and they have purchased a softening unit of some sort.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

If you have some DIY skills you won't need a plumber. Pretty darn easy to do, actually.

I can't really give you a ballpark price without seeing the lab results re your water contaminants and the water use profile @ the house. A softener will run you between $800 and $1200 for most houses. You can spend less than that if you go for a very low end valve, but I wouldn't. But you may need iron treatment above and beyond what the softener can handle.

Russ

 

[Cherie cook]

If you have some DIY skills you won't need a plumber. Pretty darn easy to do, actually.

I can't really give you a ballpark price without seeing the lab results re your water contaminants and the water use profile @ the house. A softener will run you between $800 and $1200 for most houses. You can spend less than that if you go for a very low end valve, but I wouldn't. But you may need iron treatment above and beyond what the softener can handle.

Russ

Thank you so much for your help! I know I’m kinda putting you on the spot here, but we’ve offered to go halves with them on the cost so I’m just trying to get a feel for what that might be. What would the iron treatment you refer to look like...is it another unit of some type?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

It would look generally similar to a softener - might be a chlorine injector and a holding tank, or a tank filled with Filox, or a potperm dispense with a greensand tank for instance. But if the iron level is low, you may not need all that

 

[Cherie cook]

It would look generally similar to a softener - might be a chlorine injector and a holding tank, or a tank filled with Filox, or a potperm dispense with a greensand tank for instance. But if the iron level is low, you may not need all that

Oh....I can guarantee you the iron level won’t be low, lol! So it sounds much more complicated than just a simple water softening system....I think we need to hire someone. Where are you located?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

We are in Ohio, and have customers using this sort of equipment all over the country.

Russ

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

The place to start is with that water test

 

[Cherie cook]

The place to start is with that water test

Will do...again, thank you for all your help!

 

[Cherie cook]

Will do...again, thank you for all your help!

One last question, I promise. I want the quantified test, correct?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

No ma'am. Those options pertain ONLY to the optional bacterial testing. You said you don't need that as it has already been done... so leave the selection as the default "No Bacterial Testing."

 

[Cherie cook]

No ma'am. Those options pertain ONLY to the optional bacterial testing. You said you don't need that as it has already been done... so leave the selection as the default "No Bacterial Testing."

Ok...thanks!