Drinking RO/DI?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So what everyone is saying that the RO drinking systems from stores will get people deathly ill? That doesn't seem like a correct assumption to me. Could be wrong though.


Mike Hayes

Do you know that they do not employ methods of disinfecting the water, such as UV or ozone or silver?

Glacier, who operates a lot of such machines stated recently that

"Our water vending machines start with federally regulated municipal water which then passes through a comprehensive seven-step process. "

http://www.ewg.org/release/glaciers-press-release


This description of such units shows that a UV or ozone step is included:

http://jmpukui.en.made-in-china.com...hina-Glacier-Water-Vending-Machine-A-26-.html

 

[ken55]

So what everyone is saying that the RO drinking systems from stores will get people deathly ill? That doesn't seem like a correct assumption to me. Could be wrong though.


Mike Hayes

I THINK that goes back to the UV sterilization mentioned for human consumption. But I don't know for sure.

 

[Mhayes462]

The Kenmore unit I have only has a carbon pre filter, membrane, then post filter. All the ones I've looked at at lowes or hd do not have any uv or anything special. How are millions of people not getting sick?


Mike Hayes

 

[erock68]

Everytime I run my RO/DI, to replace used stuff in my 5g jugs...I fill up our water bottle that goes right to the fridge. We are not zombies....YET

 

[mph1]

I wonder if there is any danger to marine fish from this unwanted bacteria. Perhaps the salt takes care of it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The Kenmore unit I have only has a carbon pre filter, membrane, then post filter. All the ones I've looked at at lowes or hd do not have any uv or anything special. How are millions of people not getting sick?

If you recall, I pointed out the chances of a problem were not that high, but obviously it is a potential concern since most manufacturers provide a UV option.

So let's take a look at a unit from Home Depot that doesn't use a UV.

It has lots of warnings about bacterial contamination and recommends an extensive internal bleaching procedure to reduce bacteria with each filter change. If you are following that, then the chances of a problem are minimized. Are you bleaching the inside of your unit every time you change a filter? Probably not, unfortunately, if you drink it.

http://products.geappliances.com/Ma...ispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=49-50198-1.pdf

from it:

Sanitizing the Reverse Osmosis System
Sanitize upon installation of the Reverse Osmosis
system and after servicing inner parts, including
replacement of prefilter, postfilter and the
membrane cartridge.
Be sure to wash your hands before handling
inner parts of the system.
CAUTION: Before sanitizing, be sure to
remove all cartridges. Chlorine will destroy the
Reverse Osmosis membrane cartridge.
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 under Prefilter,
Postfilter and Reverse Osmosis Membrane Cartridge
Replacement Procedure.
2. Fill the empty canister labeled "œSanitization
Canister" with water to within 1 inch of the
upper opening. Add 1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) ordinary
household bleach. Install canister into the
prefilter canister position by turning to the right
about 1/3 turn until the alignment marks line
up and the canister stops.
3. Install the two additional "œsanitiziation canisters"
into the membrane canister and postfilter
openings in the manifold by turning to the right
about 1/3 turn until the alignment marks line
up and the canister stops.

4. Turn ON water supply. Turn ON faucet until
water begins to flow from the faucet, then turn
faucet OFF. Allow system to fill for 10 minutes.
5. Turn faucet ON and allow water to flow for 20
minutes, or until bleach odor is gone. Turn OFF
water supply again. Turn ON faucet to drain
the system.
6. Once the system is drained, turn the faucet OFF
and remove the canisters by turning to the left
about 1/3 turn. Keep these in a safe place until
needed the next time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wonder if there is any danger to marine fish from this unwanted bacteria. Perhaps the salt takes care of it.

I think that concern is minimal relative to other sources. The foods we feed are likely loaded with all kinds of bacteria.

So perhaps if you eat fish foods, the RO water is also a minimal source for you.

 

[Mhayes462]

Yes I do, but a filter change only happens once every six months, and a yr on the membrane. That sterilizing will last a min of 6 months? If so, then there should be zero worries as thats what everyone should do on any system.


Mike Hayes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, great, then your water is a lot safer than without bleaching.

I've never heard of any reefer bleaching the inside of the RO/DI for their aquaria. I know I certainly don't. I don't think it is of value if the water is used in an aquarium.

 

[Mhayes462]

I use the RO for drinking, and RO/DI for my tank.


Mike Hayes

 

[Devaji108]

you know i HAVE been thinking alot about this for a while now. I have been drinking it for over a year and no problems. I personalty feel safer than drinking tap water. but I do hear the bacteria issue...

in fact I have been filter water for years mostly NSA carbon filter before my ro/di unit.
i see both sides to this.

 

[ken55]

I'm sorry I started this. It was just a mundane curiousity. I expected a few quick and short answers. This thread was never intended for this LEVEL of conversation.

Thank you everybody for all your replies. I do appreciate the effort.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm sorry I started this. It was just a mundane curiousity. I expected a few quick and short answers. This thread was never intended for this LEVEL of conversation.

Thank you everybody for all your replies. I do appreciate the effort.

But we like to debate science issues.

Many of the issues reefers consider end up not being especially clear cut if you poke enough at the assumptions behind them.

 

[Reeferz412]

I thought about this and leaving your RODI unit inactive for a few months and the remaining water inside obviously becomes contaminated... no? Then what is the point of flushing your RODI unit every once and a while? Doesn't the chlorine while flushing rid of the issue? Excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject matter, but this caught my interest.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I thought about this and leaving your RODI unit inactive for a few months and the remaining water inside obviously becomes contaminated... no? Then what is the point of flushing your RODI unit every once and a while? Doesn't the chlorine while flushing rid of the issue? Excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject matter, but this caught my interest.

Yes, getting rid of bacteria is one of the justifications for flushing, as is removal of built up solid matter. I've never flushed my RO/DI systems and I'm not sure how effective it might be at removing or killing bacteria.

 

[Reeferz412]

I guess we won't know until we get some microscopes and a laboratory experiment going

 

[ronhaskovec]

Thanks for bringing this up, never thought about it being bad for you!

 

[disc1]

I guess we won't know until we get some microscopes and a laboratory experiment going

See post #5 in this thread.

 

[James77]

Are you bleaching the inside of your unit every time you change a filter? Probably not, unfortunately, if you drink it.

Maybe it should be done an it is something that we should get in the habit of? It was recommended to me by Buckeye field supply to do what you had quoted, flush the empty system with a couple tablespoons of bleach -every year.

I just dealt with bio fouling of my dual "water saving" membranes. I took a good couple sips of that nasty water before realizing it was the RO water that was bad, and not the smell on my fingers( had just cut onions).

It took me a total of 20 minutes to heavily sanitize my entire RODI setup.

 

[Porgy Bait]

I was looking at a RODI system for both my fish tanks and drinking water. We have very hard water and very high levels of chlorine and chloramine where I live. Does the UV units go in the storage tank or before the faucet?