Suggestions for inline Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hello,

I tried to search online but couldn't find what I was looking for. We'd like to get an RO filter system installed inline before the refrigerator water line, so the ice and drinking water are filtered. Is something like this available?

Thank you!

Featured Answer

kaseki

2 years ago

"In-line" may be a misunderstanding of how RO systems operate. For the reverse osmosis membrane to function, there must be a source of tap water, with chlorine products filtered out, a drain where the "brine" is dumped (but which is really just tap water that is a bit more concentrated in whatever minerals and chemicals are in it), and the filtered product that you want.

I have such a system. RO water goes to my SZ's icemaker, 3 sink areas, and a centrifugal humidifier that I use in cold weather. Most of my components come from SpectraPure, Inc. [spectrapure.com]. My system may be more elaborate than you need, but is also more efficient in water usage than simpler schemes. I have provided a copy of a SpectraPure diagram that is close to my system's configuration, at least in the essential control aspects.

Your first step needs to be determining how much RO water you would use in a day, peak vs. average demand, and hence tank storage capacity. If you only rarely use ice and refrigerator water, then a very simple RO system, not shown, will likely be sufficient.

Note that the RO system removes most minerals and complex hydrocarbons. If you don't need anything more than better taste, then a truly in-line charcoal taste and odor filter may be used with considerable savings.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

sushipup2
2 years ago
For years, we had a Watts Zero Waste system in our old house. Loved it, would do it again if we could. https://www.watts.com/products/water-quality-rainwater-harvesting-solutions/filtration-solutions/drinking-water-systems/pwro4zro
cooldyood thanked sushipup2
Related Professionals
Ottumwa General Contractors · Helena Home Remodeling · Hagerstown Bathroom Remodelers · Superior Bathroom Remodelers · Olympia Bathroom Remodelers · Elkton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wilmington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Corpus Christi Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Albert Lea Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Francisco Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Idaho Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Champaign Bathroom Remodelers · Monroe Bathroom Remodelers · San Francisco Bathroom Remodelers · Kenosha Kitchen Remodelers
TBL from CT
2 years ago
We did a self installed under sink system. RO produces waste water, so it needs to drain. The flexible tubing can be run to a dedicated drinking water faucet and/or to your fridge. After much reading, we chose the iSpring PH100 (Depot and online). The company makes an array of filtration products but this one has an RO membrane that 'only' wastes 1:1. Most RO units waste more than 2 gallons for every filtered gallon. If you look online, you'll see there are numerous filtering stages for the average unit (sediment, carbon, adding back minerals). Know your water and what you want removed. Most municipal water is safe and RO may be overkill. We had two plumbing estimates a few years ago and were quoted $1200 and $1400 for what seemed like lesser quality RO units. The units are just a bunch of filters with tubing connecting them, with some plastic holding it together. It's all about the filters. Check the specs on what will be filtered and waste water volume for the RO. If you DIY, I highly recommend iSpring. Their actual human service people are phenomenally responsive. They're in GA and your emails will be answered and if you call you will speak to someone helpful. A specific YouTube person, The Fixit Shed, has one of the best videos to install. He has another for changing the filters. The hardware and fittings are always evolving, so you have to just understand how the water flows. Lots of tips so you don't leak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL547dA_QFA . I watched numerous other videos and was still wary, but finally became comfortable enough to direct my husband. So worth it. Also, make sure to replace your filters with the correct ones, it can be confusing, but help is there if you go this route.
cooldyood thanked TBL from CT
kaseki
2 years ago
Because the RO membrane, even two in series as I have, has to reject minerals into the water flowing past the membrane, the Watts unit still has to reject water to carry the minerals. To be zero waste, it likely rejects it into the household water supply, where the slightly higher concentration of minerals would have negligible effect. In the image at the link, the object to the right is likely a pump needed to make this possible.
cooldyood thanked kaseki
Jake The Wonderdog
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Generally, R/O is completely overkill unless you have identified specific contaminants that can only be removed by a RO filter.

Most R/O units produce small amounts of water at one time and store it - so there would be a unit under your sink, for example. They also need a drain and waste a lot of water - as has been said by others.

R/O water is aggressive to any metal plumbing.

Use a carbon filter to remove taste, odor, chlorine, and do general cleanup unless there is something specifically you need to remove.
cooldyood thanked Jake The Wonderdog
cooldyood
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you everyone, you all are amazing!

I looked up our zipcode on EWG's website and it seems that our water isn't so bad. There are 12 contaminants that are below legal limit but above EWG's recommendation. The real problem we're facing is that some people in our family get skin irritation and minor bumps on the face after shower. We have narrowed the root cause down to specific food and water sensitivities. Having read your (very helpful!) responses, we plan to try a less expensive approach first i.e. using this and this filter.

Thank you again for your help! Have a great day.