Waste Water?

[ToxicPoison]

So just to follow up on my original query...I installed my DI system last night (no RO). The TDS meter read 8ppm pre-DI and 0ppm post-DI. So I can get pure water with no waste! This makes me very happy.

Many thanks to Jim from the filter guys for suggesting this, I'm sure many other places would've pushed an ro/di system on me, even though I don't need it.

 

[samtheman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11859773#post11859773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenargo
I would be concerned with using the waste water for a humidifier since it would contain higher than normal concentrations of contaminates (not sure I would want to be breathing it). I like the laundry idea but we have a low-water front-load machine. We use it to water house and garden plants and sometimes for toping off the spa (tub).

A few months ago I upgraded to the SpectraPure UHE which I run at 1:2 (1 waste to 2 good) so our waste is way down from the old 4:1. I might need to use hose water once summer hits

The waste water is drinkable, and is in no way a problem to use anywhere.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

"Waste water" is tap water with sediment removed and VOC's (including chlorine) removed by the prefilters, and about 20% of the nearly pure H2O removed by the RO membrane.

So waste water will be higher in TDS than your tap water (by about 20%). In some uses of the waste water this could be an issue. For example - I wouldn't recommend using high TDS water for a humidifier - the minerals will build up in the humidifier. If your tap water has low TDS to start with, this would be a non-issue.

One issue not mentioned above is the delivery of non-chlorinated water to the humidifier. W/out data to the contrary, it would be a good idea to use chlorinated water in a humidifier.

FYI: The technical term for waste water is "concentrate."

Russ

 

[ReefJunkie21]

I have an idea I'd like to share and get some feedback on.
If I were to run my RO/DI system I was thinking, Can't I run my "Waste Water" back to a storage container where it would get pumped back into the RO/DI system? Of course it won’t be all "Waste Water" It would only be a percentage, something like 1 gallon waste water to 4 gallon tap water
Think of it as a "Recycling System" I figured I would most likely be going though more filters sooner but hey it beats wasting water.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Yes - its possible - Youd be better off running the waste water into a second membrane. There are some system design issues to be aware of so you might want to seek some advice if you get serious about doing this.

Russ

 

[RumLad]

Wouldn't you have to pump the water under pressure from the storage vessel the RO unit again? I think this leads to plumbing issues and such. Most of our storage vessels aren't made to hold much pressure.

 

[redline]

I put the water in containers and use it for mopping and cleaning the balconies since it's a lot easier than hooking up a hose downstairs and throwing it up to the balcony.