Reverse Osmosis Units
Reverse Osmosis units selected by SDWF to be the most effective are now available to SDWF members! Easy to follow instructions, accompanied by photos and diagrams, make the RO easy to install without the need for a plumber. If you have a dwelling with many people (ten or more), or extremely low water pressure then a RO unit with a pump is recommended and is available upon request.
Explanation of RO Process
Reverse osmosis (RO) is an extremely effective form of filtration. RO filters are able to remove both chemical and particulate (microbes for example) contaminants. An RO filter is a semi-permeable membrane with pores that are up to 30, 000 times smaller than the width of a human hair allowing only pure water to pass through. RO systems are even used by the military to make poor quality water drinkable. However, RO systems should not be used on water that is contaminated by wastewater. If you are using the RO on rural water sources (individual wells etc.) a good way to test for such contamination is to measure E. coli and coliform bacteria before the water is chlorinated. Chlorination may kill the coliforms, but other disease-causing microbes may not be killed by the chlorine and such water should not be used for drinking even with an RO.
SDWF provides a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) tester with any RO sold. You should test the raw water (from the regular tap) and write that up. You should then test your treated (RO) water, which you also write down. The TDS of the RO water should be less than 10% of the raw water. Most importantly is to monitor the TDS of the RO water and if it goes up drastically (more than double) then it may be time to change the RO membrane. For more information read SDWF Fact Sheet on Reverse Osmosis
A properly operating RO membrane will produce drinking water with a low pH, typically below a pH of 6. This is not a huge issue as drinking lemon juice or grapefruit juice will have quite a bit lower pH levels. But, the water doesn’t contain any calcium and magnesium which would have many health benefits. To increase the calcium and magnesium levels in the water SDWF sells a calcium and magnesium mineral supplement. This supplement can be put in a container and the container can then be filled with RO water. The calcium magnesium product will settle at the base of the container of RO water, it can be refilled with RO water hundreds of times. The correct pH for drinking this water containing calcium and magnesium should be no higher than 9.0. The starter kit for this includes 1 kg of calcium + magnesium mineral mix (NSF certified) and one pH meter for $35. Additional 1 kg calcium and magnesium mixes are $15 + shipping.
SDWF recommended RO unit is available to SDWF members for just $295 and includes a TDS meter to monitor the quality of your drinking water and indicate when membranes should be changed.
Mail a cheque or money order together with your order form to:
The Safe Drinking Water Foundation, 912 Idylwyld Drive North, Saskatoon, SK S7L 0Z6
or
Fax your order form together with your visa number to 306-934-5289
or
Email - scan the order form, or save as an attachment, include your visa number and email to info@safewater.org
Orders will be confirmed within 24 hours and will be shipped with Canada Post
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