0 waste RO System

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Steve, that's it. It actually pushes the water back up the line. remember that your cold water line connects to the hot water heater. So when you push water back into the hot water line, it goes back into the tank which pushes the water back into the cold water line. All you have to do to achieve this is over come the line pressure, Hence the boost pump on the system. There is no valve on your lines either before or after the heater. AS you turn on your hot water line at the sink, water from the top of the heater enters the hot water line and cold water from the sullpy enters the bottom of the heater. So if you push water back down the hot water line, ie the waste water with a boost pump, you push water back into the cold water line and actually all they way back out to the main line in the street.

I did a bit of research on this a while back trying to fully understand the whole process. Found out it will not work for me as I don't have the hot water tank and thus would just be recirculating and waste water back into my house system. I do have a whole house 5 stage water softner system that also filters the water with carbon and such. It is a heavy duty comerical system that the previous owner installed. I've never checked my TDS but so far, I have no problems with either of my tanks.

 

[ezcompany]

chevy, if you ever get a tour going, count me in

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

ez, sorry but we just did one. 20 people signe dup from our club but only 15 showed up for the tour. They missed out big time. If any of the other clubs want to do the same as we, drop me a PM and I'll gladly pass on some info.

 

[d0cdave]

Ray,

Interesting info about the non-RO makeup water. You apparently asked a bunch more questions in your group

Anyone know of a professional lab that will test tap water for concentrations of certain elements? TDS in Fillmore runs over 450ppm at the tap. My RO takes that down to 5 or less. If the majority of it is trace minerals and Ca, I could save a bundle on additives. I'm an optimist.. so sue me!

 

[dwl]

I am still pretty new to this stuff, but from what I have read, the closest thing to a zero waste system would be the Kati-Ani systems.
Like what was said earlier, if you can use the waste water to water your garden/flowerbeds, that seems to be about the best thing you can do with R/O unless pumping the waste water back into your plumbing is not a problem.

It looks as the filter guys are now carrying the kati-ani units, perhaps they can comment.

 

[frogiii]

I just bought this RO now. So, if Blown63 is correct, this wasted water pours out from hotwater everytime i turn on hot water on my faucets? Instead of draining down to drain it recirculated back to hotwater? if it's isn't this waste (filtered water) bad for your skin or cloth? It must not if they discover to re-use this bad water. I do have water-softner in our house will this help to reduce whatever it's in the water? Should I cancel my order? Im more puzzled then before.

 

[GTR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11042977#post11042977 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
ez, sorry but we just did one. 20 people signe dup from our club but only 15 showed up for the tour. They missed out big time. If any of the other clubs want to do the same as we, drop me a PM and I'll gladly pass on some info.

My wife took me there about 3 years ago for Father's Day and we did the back room tour. For her that was I pretty bold move since she really couldn't care less about fish stuff. :lol:

Anyway I was a little disappointed as it seemed to be directed at 6th graders. I understand that most people don't have the interests we hobbyists do. I asked maybe 3 questions that seemed simple enough for someone giving the tour before I gave up and ate my nori.

Sorry I missed your tour.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11042918#post11042918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Captain Quirk
I'd urge you to consider one, anyway. Water is a resource that we don't have a lot of here in the California DESERT...

...

I gotta go hose all the ash off my driveway, BRB.

:lol:

SteveU

 

[reef_doug]

I think the waste would just cause build up of metals and cause phospate/algae problems in reef aquaria, but for our skin there are much worse things we expose ourselves to, even hand soap.

My tap test at 130ppm, and RO/DI waste is at 180ppm. I guess I'm lucky because some people have their tap at 400+ppm.

I wouldn't cancel because of any health problems surrounding with the waste water recirculating.

 

[GTR]

This water will have a higher TDS since it's the flush water. It will have been through the pre-filters on your system so chlorine will be gone. What we all need to keep in mind with these systems is that once your water goes through the carbon stage(s) you no longer have the chlorine to stop bacterial growth. We should follow maintenance guidelines especially when you are using a holding tank system.

I think that's why you see some systems will employ a UV unit just before the final output.

SteveU

 

[bromion]

Your waste water will be no (or not much) worse than your input water. Use it for whatever.

 

[frogiii]

no longer have the chlorine to stop bacterial growth. We should follow maintenance guidelines especially when you are using a holding tank system.

[/B]

How about those delivered water like Arrowhead or even from those bottle waters from stores. They've been sitting on shelf for while. Will this bacteria harmful immediately? I've used other RO and can't remember being sick drinking this water or could have but, just do not know if water cause the illness

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Hey Steve, that was my main interest in setting up the tour, to get us a knowledgeable person to give the tour more focused on hobbiest. Worked out well I think. Learned a lot and as Dave mentioned, my group asked a lot of questions. I'm a nerd when it comes to seeking knowledge. Plus Carlskoi was also with us and he was looking for idea's since he's setting up a 700g tank in his new house he's building. Sorry you mised it but we just kind of kept it to our local club site.

frogiii,
The main issue I see with putting the waste water back into your hot water is that it will not be going back thru your water softner. So that means that you will have an excess build up of the waste elements in your hot water supply. Now you may be able to modify the setup and have the waste pumped into your main line before it goes into the water sofyner. Don't know for sure how it will affect the life of your water softner and filters.

Dave, yea we asked a bunch of questions. Guess your group had to deal with Brad hitting on your tour guide huh?

 

[Curlsoc]

For those of you concerned with waste water from your unit, just be creative. Mine is in my laundry room, and we just used some drip irrigation connectors to extend the waste water line and have it running into my washer. Run water, fill washer, do laundry. Works great, and I haven't noticed a difference in my clothes.