Frequently Asked Questions

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Reverse Osmosis, or RO for short, is the opposite of the natural process by which moisture is taken up by living cells. Root cells of plants, for example, have special cell walls that allow water to pass through them. In reverse osmosis, water is forced against a synthetic membrane using normal city water pressure. Only molecules of water easily diffuse through this unique membrane material, and are collected as pure water on the other side. Impurities are left behind and are rinsed away to a waste drain.

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Many home water devices claim they leave so called "beneficial" minerals in, considering it an advantageous feature. Distillers, on the other hand, claim they remove all "objectionable" minerals and consider it an advantage. Sounds confusing, doesn't it? The subject of minerals in water is one over which there is much controversy. There is even disagreement among health authorities. To help you decide for yourself, consider the following information:

• Minerals in water exist as mineral salts or so called inorganic minerals. Minerals in this form may not be as biologically acceptable to the human body as are the organic forms of minerals found in all food and quality mineral supplements.
• Some inorganic minerals are harmful to human health and no water treatment process can differentiate them from inorganic minerals that are not harmful. Examples of inorganic minerals that are harmful are nitrates and toxic metals (lead, mercury and arsenic).
• Excess inorganic minerals in water may be responsible for bad tastes, salty tastes and metallic tastes.
• Excess inorganic minerals may interact with almost every food and beverage, detracting from its flavor. That's why virtually all packaged beverages, including soft drinks and beer, are made with controlled levels of inorganic minerals to insure the best flavor possible.
• The mineral content in water may be much less than the mineral content found in foods. An 8-ounce glass of milk typically contains more calcium and magnesium than 5 gallons of water.

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Water Factory's Reverse Osmosis systems can remove over 90% of the fluoride in the water. Fluoride occurs both naturally in the earth and water and is often artificially added to municipal supplies because there is evidence it helps prevent tooth decay.

The long-term effects of fluoridation of public water supplies, however, is still a subject of great controversy. Here's why:

Chlorine, for instance, has been used routinely since 1913, but only recently have we discovered this helpful chemical has the potential to generate cancer-causing chemicals (tri-halomethanes or THMS) when combined with organic substances naturally found in water. Fluoridation may have little benefit for teeth after childhood, yet the population can consume fluoridated water from their municipal supply as well as pay for it. Consider too, that only 2% of total fluoridated water is used for human consumption.

Further, there are more prudent alternatives to fluoridating the entire water supply such as the application of fluoride tablets and vitamins that may provide a safe, precise dose to your children.

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The quantity and quality of water produced by a Reverse Osmosis system are affected by feed water temperature, feed water pressure and total dissolved solids.

Temperature affects the performance of an RO due to the intricate design of an RO membrane. Production is improved as water temperature approaches 77 degrees Fahrenheit (32°C). Please Note: An RO device should only be installed on the cold water line.

Reverse Osmosis systems are also affected by feed water pressure. As pressures increase so does the rate in which water is produced. Generally speaking, Reverse Osmosis systems should be operated on feed water pressures above 40psi to provide acceptable performance.

High concentrations of total dissolved solids (poor quality) of the feed water may decrease the life of the RO membranes or require additional maintenance.

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The longevity of an RO membrane greatly depends on feed water conditions, how well the system is maintained and whether the supply is municipal or well water. On most municipal water supplies, the average useful life of a Reverse Osmosis membrane is 2 to 4 years. In well water applications, RO life may be reduced due to varied water conditions.

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The prefilter(s) need to be replaced every 6-12 months. Your local Water Factory Dealer can recommend the optimal change-out period based on his experience. It is also suggested that the storage tank air charge be checked yearly. The system should also be sanitized at this time. Please contact the dealer in your area for proper maintenance of your Drinking Water System.

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We think you will particularly enjoy the following:

• Drinking Water
• Cooking
• Juices and Mixes
• Coffee & Tea
• Ice Cubes
• Low Sodium Diets
• Weight Loss Diets
• Cleaning Solutions
• Humidifiers
• Plants
• Baby Formulas
• Aquariums
• Batteries
• Complexion Care
• Photography
• Steam Irons
• Windshield Washer
• Radiators

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Water Factory Systems Countertop Appliance: Only a pair of pliers is required to remove the old aerator from a kitchen faucet and replace it with the special one supplied with each countertop appliance. It takes only a few minutes and instructions are provided.

Water Factory Systems Under-the-Counter Appliance: With a little plumbing experience and knowledge of hand tools, you can install the Under-the-Counter system. However, it is recommended that a factory-trained dealer who is familiar with plumbing and drilling sinks or counters install your Under-the-Counter system.

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Most definitely, provided a water line can be run from under the sink to the refrigerator. The tubing used should preferably be plastic. Existing copper tubing is often corroded and scaled from tap water and the purified water may dislodge this buildup and create problems in the icemaker. We recommend copper tubing not be used unless absolutely necessary. We can supply a special icemaker hookup kit that includes all the tubing and fittings required for the typical icemaker and/or refrigerator water dispenser connections.

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Yes, but rarely. The Water Factory Systems Drinking Water Appliances treat tap water slowly and steadily. This small flow builds up in the tank for later use. It is possible to draw water from the reservoir faster than it can fill. While this won't happen often with average use, it is possible when using large amounts of water. Please feel free to contact your local Water Factory Representative if you have questions concerning usage.

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The amount of water produced depends on factors such as water pressure, water quality and water temperature. Under most conditions typically found in a community water supply, the Water Factory Systems Drinking Water Appliances should supply between three (3) and ten (10) gallons of high quality drinking water each day.

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They are automatically rinsed from the membrane surface and washed down the drain. Unlike filters that trap impurities, the membrane used in the Water Factory Systems Drinking Water Appliances is self-cleaning. As water flows across the membrane, it becomes divided into two streams. The production stream is the purified water that is forced through the membrane by diffusion. The impurities are left behind. The concentrate stream serves as a rinse that carries those impurities off the membrane surface and into a drain. As a result, accumulation of impurities on the membrane is slow, keeping it clean and effective over time.

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The Water Factory Systems Drinking Water Appliances are the most efficient systems of those incorporating self-cleaning membranes. Under-the-Counter systems are also equipped with an Automatic Shut Off Valve which stops processing water when the storage tank is full.

Other systems use as much as 15 gallons of tap water to process each gallon of water for drinking. Only 3 to 4 gallons of water are required to process each gallon of Water Factory Systems water. This amounts to a mere trickle that carries impurities to drain. The use of a concentrate stream may increase an average family's water bill by 25 to 75 cents per month. Many concerned families consider this a small fraction of total water usage and a small price to pay for all of the high quality water they will be enjoying.

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