Reverse osmosis, or RO is one of the most popular ways to remove impurities from fresh water. It does this by passing incoming water through a series of filters. These filters are so fine that they can remove a great variety of contaminants, including chlorine, arsenic, lead and even medications that make their way into groundwater. This makes water unusually clean and good-tasting. Like other household systems, reverse osmosis water treatment systems need maintenance. Here is a checklist you must follow if you have one of these systems in your home.

Sanitize the System Once a Year

Since the RO system works hard to take impurities out of the water, it’s important to sanitize it at least once a year. It’s possible to do this yourself, but it may be best to let a water treatment professional handle this job. Basically, it requires turning off the water at the main valve, taking out the filters and membrane, taking off then reattaching the system’s connections, turning it back on, and letting it run for a while. Then, after it’s run for a couple of cycles, the valve is shut off, new filters are put in, and the tank is allowed to fill up then drain.

Replace the Filters

If actually sanitizing the RO system is a bit involved, changing the filters regularly is a DIY job. You should replace the filters every six to 12 months or so, and you’ll need to follow your owner’s manual to do it properly. Neglected filters can damage your system. You will know that the filters need attention when your RO doesn’t give you as much water as it usually does. There are several layers to an RO system.

The RO Pre-Filter

Your RO system also has a pre-filter, which takes sediment out of the water. The pre-filter is important because it keeps grit from getting into the filter membrane and fouling it.

The Carbon Filter

This part of the system takes contaminants out of the water that affect its taste and can make it unhealthy. This filter has two parts. They’re the granular activated carbon filter, or GAC and the carbon block filter.

The RO Membrane and Polishing Filter

The cleaned water is then pushed through the RO membrane, which only needs to be replaced every two years. If you have a four-stage reverse osmosis system, the last step before the water goes to your fixture is the polishing filter, which is designed to remove any odors or off-taste from the water. This filter also uses carbon, and like the other filters, should be replaced every six to 12 months.

If it’s well maintained, your reverse osmosis system can last as long as 15 years. If you need water treatment service or have questions about reverse osmosis water treatment, call our professionals at Aqua Gold Water Treatment of Muncie, Indiana.