Flushing RO Systems

Flushing RO Systems

Family-owned and operated Countryside Water Conditioning released a recent article diving into the nitty-gritty of maintaining reverse osmosis (RO) water systems, a popular choice for ensuring clean drinking water in homes and businesses. RO systems, which use a semipermeable membrane to filter out things like bacteria and dissolved solids from tap water, need some TLC to keep them in top shape. A key part of this care is flushing the system regularly to clear out any buildup that can mess with its performance and water quality.

How often you should flush depends on a few things: the quality of the tap water, how much water is being used, and the specific RO system model. Signs that it’s time for a flush include a drop in water pressure, bad-tasting water, or visible gunk in your water. Flushing is pretty simple—just turn off the water, drain the system, run water through it for a few minutes, and then shut everything back off.

Xylem's MitiGATOR Mobile System

Not to be confused with VVATER’s mobile water cleaner, Xylem has been making the case for its own mobile system (albeit with a much cooler name) called the MitiGATOR Mobile System, designed to filter emerging contaminants like PFAS from drinking water. While the MitiGATOR has been out for over a year now, the team is bringing attention back to it after the EPA set new limits on PFAS contaminants. The MitiGATOR is housed in a 54-foot trailer and is super mobile, making it easy to connect to various water sources directly. It can process up to 1,000 gallons of water per minute using advanced filters and media vessels, all while being monitored remotely. This system not only meets the urgent needs of water utilities to adhere to new EPA regulations but also offers a setup that’s pretty much ready to go with minimal installation. Xylem also provides permanent integration options and expert onsite operation and maintenance.

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What is TDS?

In a recent article from Aqua Life of Houston, the team discussed Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)—the assortment of minerals, salts, and metals dissolved in water, which are key indicators of its quality. Measured in parts per million (ppm) with a TDS meter, it’s recommended that levels are kept under 500 ppm for good taste and safety, as per EPA standards. Levels over 1000 ppm? That could be a health hazard. Identifying exactly what’s in the water, like calcium (good for health but bad for pipes) or harmful arsenic, requires a more detailed test using a home kit or lab analysis. This is where Aqua Life comes in—they promote free water tests directly on the home page of their website, ensuring customers are getting the right equipment for their needs.

Reactions to EPA’s New PFAS Limits

As you might have guessed there have been plenty of reactions from across the country in response to the recent EPA news. Here are some highlights:

• CBS Minnesota shines a light on the struggle of nineteen Minnesota cities trying to meet the new federal drinking water guidelines for PFAS. Local officials are pushing for state legislature support to fund clean-up projects that could otherwise lead to skyrocketing water bills for residents. For instance, Hastings needs significant financial aid to avoid doubling or even tripling their water rates within the next few years as they work on a nearly $69 million project to build three treatment plants specifically for PFAS.

• The Texas Tribune reveals that nearly 50 water utilities in Texas have found PFAS chemicals in levels higher than what the federal government now allows. Cities like Fort Worth and Dallas are among those affected, with some areas showing PFAS levels high enough to require public notifications and costly treatment plans. Sure, the EPA has put aside $9 billion for nationwide water improvements, but this might not fully cover the costs, meaning water bills could go up as cities struggle to comply. Some Texas cities are even considering suing the chemical manufacturers for the pollution to help cover the cleanup costs.

• Cincinnati Enquirer says that Greater Cincinnati Water Works might have to spend up to $100 million to upgrade one of its water treatment plants to meet new federal PFAS removal guidelines, reports indicate. The costs are expected to be covered primarily by water ratepayers, although some federal grants and lawsuit settlements might offset a portion. It’s not all bad news for Cinci: there is one plant, the Richard Miller Treatment Plant, that already meets these new standards and covers about 1 million customers.

MORE: WQA’s PFAS Portal is now updated with more great resources.

What else is happening:

• In a first across the nation, California regulators voted to establish a drinking water limit on hexavalent chromium, a toxic chemical compound made infamous by the movie “Erin Brockovich”

• AquiSense Technologies announced that their UV-C LED System has been successfully integrated into NASA’s Potable Water Dispenser aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

• Coway Co. has filed a patent for a water purifier that includes a reverse osmosis filter and a control unit

• Atlantic Coast Water says this is what you should know about water neutralization

• As part of their “What’s In My Water?” series, Amber Water Pros of New England writes about Uranium