RO recycle of waste water

[Mark Breithaupt]

We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
Any suggestions for using the excess water?
I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the RO unit
performance you get lower purity.
We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through with a
pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)
Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can handle
would be the next most logical option.
Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?


Thanx

Mark and A

[CapFusion]

Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate and
other nutrient.

When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I assume
they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
drainage.

CapFusion,...


"Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
...
> We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
> We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
> Any suggestions for using the excess water?
> I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the RO unit
> performance you get lower purity.
> We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through with a
> pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
usage.)
> Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can handle
> would be the next most logical option.
> Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
>
>
> Thanx
>
> Mark and A
>
>

[Mark Breithaupt]

Good advice. Thanks. Yes, the sewer bill is based on our water usage.
Our juices are flowing now for RO waste water usage.
We think we can find a way to use the waste water in our furnace
humidifier.
The humidifier uses about 10 -15 gallons/day. (We may suffer from mineral
deposits in the humidifier, but that's manageable).
The RO is about 15 feet from the humidifier. We have figured 50 -75
gallons/month for evaporation and water changes for our 55 gallon tank,
producing about 250 -300 gallons/month of waste, which can be routed to the
humidifier.
A good sized storage tank and a light duty pump can keep a continuous flow
to the humidifier. The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve to
keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An additional
feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste water
storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the waste
water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run new
pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck where
we keep our plants.Voila!
Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond with
a fountain....and some goldfish!.....

Mark and A


"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
> Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate and
> other nutrient.
>
> When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I assume
> they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> drainage.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
> "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
> ...
> > We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
> > We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
> > Any suggestions for using the excess water?
> > I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the RO
unit
> > performance you get lower purity.
> > We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through with
a
> > pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
> usage.)
> > Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can
handle
> > would be the next most logical option.
> > Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
> >
> >
> > Thanx
> >
> > Mark and A
> >
> >
>
>

[Pszemol]

If you have to go through so many hops to avoid water wasting with RO,
why have you bought it first place? Why not go with deionizators alone,
they do not waste water like RO membranes...
Check out KENT DEION 200 units, all info you will find on their website
www.kentmarine.com Or other "no waste water" solutions, like this one:
http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001isiGRChfa9c69E9v3A6/Products/Reverse_Osmosis/kold.html

Good luck.

"Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message ...
> Good advice. Thanks. Yes, the sewer bill is based on our water usage.
> Our juices are flowing now for RO waste water usage.
> We think we can find a way to use the waste water in our furnace
> humidifier.
> The humidifier uses about 10 -15 gallons/day. (We may suffer from mineral
> deposits in the humidifier, but that's manageable).
> The RO is about 15 feet from the humidifier. We have figured 50 -75
> gallons/month for evaporation and water changes for our 55 gallon tank,
> producing about 250 -300 gallons/month of waste, which can be routed to the
> humidifier.
> A good sized storage tank and a light duty pump can keep a continuous flow
> to the humidifier. The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve to
> keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
> waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An additional
> feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste water
> storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the waste
> water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run new
> pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck where
> we keep our plants.Voila!
> Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
> MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond with
> a fountain....and some goldfish!.....
>
> Mark and A
>
>
> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate and
> > other nutrient.
> >
> > When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I assume
> > they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> > drainage.
> >
> > CapFusion,...
> >
> >
> > "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
> > > We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
> > > Any suggestions for using the excess water?
> > > I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the RO
> unit
> > > performance you get lower purity.
> > > We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through with
> a
> > > pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
> > usage.)
> > > Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can
> handle
> > > would be the next most logical option.
> > > Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanx
> > >
> > > Mark and A
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Tom Burns]

CapFusion wrote:
> Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate and
> other nutrient.
>
> When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I assume
> they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> drainage.
>
> CapFusion,...

Some utilities use both. They charge you for water based on how much you
draw, then charge a "discharge" fee based on some calculation of how
much is not consumed (ie drank, used to water gardens, fill a pool,
etc.)and therefore returned to the sewer. I think it is a percentage.

[CapFusion]

"Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
...
> Good advice. Thanks. Yes, the sewer bill is based on our water usage.
> Our juices are flowing now for RO waste water usage.
> We think we can find a way to use the waste water in our furnace
> humidifier.
> The humidifier uses about 10 -15 gallons/day. (We may suffer from mineral
> deposits in the humidifier, but that's manageable).
> The RO is about 15 feet from the humidifier. We have figured 50 -75
> gallons/month for evaporation and water changes for our 55 gallon tank,
> producing about 250 -300 gallons/month of waste, which can be routed to
the
> humidifier.
> A good sized storage tank and a light duty pump can keep a continuous flow
> to the humidifier. The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve to
> keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
> waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An additional
> feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste water
> storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the
waste
> water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run
new
> pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck
where
> we keep our plants.Voila!
> Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
> MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond
with
> a fountain....and some goldfish!.....
>
> Mark and A

Wow, very complicated setup you have there but wow.....

CapFusion,...

[CapFusion]

"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> If you have to go through so many hops to avoid water wasting with RO,
> why have you bought it first place? Why not go with deionizators alone,
> they do not waste water like RO membranes...
> Check out KENT DEION 200 units, all info you will find on their website
> www.kentmarine.com Or other "no waste water" solutions, like this one:
>
http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001isiGRChfa9c69E9v3A6/Products/Rever
se_Osmosis/kold.html


Ahh...

I am not too sure if I will go into this debate. You can use just a DI only
but will cost more due to extra duty it need to reduce / purify your water.
Your DI will get exhasted quicker and will need to change or recharge it.

It the same apply to Brita or PUR and other. You will need to change it
cartridge quicker or more ofthen when compare to RO. So people prefer Brita
/ Pur or RO[DI]? Both do the same job at the end result but the cost is
different. Gal for gal, RO[DI] will make more when compare to the other.

When compare to waste water, then RO may waste more. But you can add Auto
Flush which will reduce waste water and extend the membrance, carbon block
and prefilter. At the end, it still will waste some water.

CapFuison,...

[Mark Breithaupt]

RO produces better water IMO. I don't really want a wet bar or a goldfish
pond. I was being funny.
Routing water to my humidifier is a more conservative an cost efficient
approach than sending it down the river. And you can Blowme.


"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> If you have to go through so many hops to avoid water wasting with RO,
> why have you bought it first place? Why not go with deionizators alone,
> they do not waste water like RO membranes...
> Check out KENT DEION 200 units, all info you will find on their website
> www.kentmarine.com Or other "no waste water" solutions, like this one:
>
http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001isiGRChfa9c69E9v3A6/Products/Reverse_Osmosis/kold.html
>
> Good luck.
>
> "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
...
> > Good advice. Thanks. Yes, the sewer bill is based on our water usage.
> > Our juices are flowing now for RO waste water usage.
> > We think we can find a way to use the waste water in our furnace
> > humidifier.
> > The humidifier uses about 10 -15 gallons/day. (We may suffer from
mineral
> > deposits in the humidifier, but that's manageable).
> > The RO is about 15 feet from the humidifier. We have figured 50 -75
> > gallons/month for evaporation and water changes for our 55 gallon tank,
> > producing about 250 -300 gallons/month of waste, which can be routed to
the
> > humidifier.
> > A good sized storage tank and a light duty pump can keep a continuous
flow
> > to the humidifier. The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve
to
> > keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
> > waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An
additional
> > feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste
water
> > storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the
waste
> > water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run
new
> > pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck
where
> > we keep our plants.Voila!
> > Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
> > MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond
with
> > a fountain....and some goldfish!.....
> >
> > Mark and A
> >
> >
> > "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate
and
> > > other nutrient.
> > >
> > > When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I
assume
> > > they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> > > drainage.
> > >
> > > CapFusion,...
> > >
> > >
> > > "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
> > > > We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
> > > > Any suggestions for using the excess water?
> > > > I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the
RO
> > unit
> > > > performance you get lower purity.
> > > > We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through
with
> > a
> > > > pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
> > > usage.)
> > > > Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can
> > handle
> > > > would be the next most logical option.
> > > > Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanx
> > > >
> > > > Mark and A
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

[Mark Breithaupt]

RO produces better water IMO. I don't really want a wet bar or a goldfish
pond. I was being funny.
Routing water to my humidifier is a more conservative an cost efficient
approach than sending it down the river. And you can Blowme.


"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> If you have to go through so many hops to avoid water wasting with RO,
> why have you bought it first place? Why not go with deionizators alone,
> they do not waste water like RO membranes...
> Check out KENT DEION 200 units, all info you will find on their website
> www.kentmarine.com Or other "no waste water" solutions, like this one:
>
http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001isiGRChfa9c69E9v3A6/Products/Reverse_Osmosis/kold.html
>
> Good luck.
>
> "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
...
> > Good advice. Thanks. Yes, the sewer bill is based on our water usage.
> > Our juices are flowing now for RO waste water usage.
> > We think we can find a way to use the waste water in our furnace
> > humidifier.
> > The humidifier uses about 10 -15 gallons/day. (We may suffer from
mineral
> > deposits in the humidifier, but that's manageable).
> > The RO is about 15 feet from the humidifier. We have figured 50 -75
> > gallons/month for evaporation and water changes for our 55 gallon tank,
> > producing about 250 -300 gallons/month of waste, which can be routed to
the
> > humidifier.
> > A good sized storage tank and a light duty pump can keep a continuous
flow
> > to the humidifier. The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve
to
> > keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
> > waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An
additional
> > feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste
water
> > storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the
waste
> > water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run
new
> > pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck
where
> > we keep our plants.Voila!
> > Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
> > MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond
with
> > a fountain....and some goldfish!.....
> >
> > Mark and A
> >
> >
> > "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate
and
> > > other nutrient.
> > >
> > > When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I
assume
> > > they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> > > drainage.
> > >
> > > CapFusion,...
> > >
> > >
> > > "Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
> > > > We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
> > > > Any suggestions for using the excess water?
> > > > I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the
RO
> > unit
> > > > performance you get lower purity.
> > > > We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through
with
> > a
> > > > pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
> > > usage.)
> > > > Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can
> > handle
> > > > would be the next most logical option.
> > > > Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanx
> > > >
> > > > Mark and A
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

[CapFusion]

"Tom Burns" > wrote in message
...
> CapFusion wrote:
> > Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate
and
> > other nutrient.
> >
> > When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I
assume
> > they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
> > drainage.
> >
> > CapFusion,...
>
> Some utilities use both. They charge you for water based on how much you
> draw, then charge a "discharge" fee based on some calculation of how
> much is not consumed (ie drank, used to water gardens, fill a pool,
> etc.)and therefore returned to the sewer. I think it is a percentage.
>

I sure hate to live in those area if I need to watch my input and output
water. Guess I and many other people taking water source as for granted.

CapFusion,...

[Marc Levenson]

Don't use Brita, it releases silver into the water. That is what makes the
water taste good. <rolling eyes>

Marc


CapFusion wrote:

> It the same apply to Brita or PUR and other. You will need to change it
> cartridge quicker or more ofthen when compare to RO. So people prefer Brita
> / Pur or RO[DI]? Both do the same job at the end result but the cost is
> different. Gal for gal, RO[DI] will make more when compare to the other.
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[CapFusion]

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Don't use Brita, it releases silver into the water. That is what makes
the
> water taste good. <rolling eyes>
>
> Marc


Did your "rolling eyes" catch any silver go thru the cartridge? Heehe....
J/K.... Yes, I heard some rumor about that too but not too certain.

CapFusion,...

[Tom Burns]

> I sure hate to live in those area if I need to watch my input and output
> water. Guess I and many other people taking water source as for granted.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>

It's not that bad. I suspect that the total cost is close to that of
just a straight consumption charge. And we'd all be better off if no one
took clean water for granted, so I don't mind paying for what I use and
for cleaning what I pollute. And, it makes you more cognizant of your
consumption habits.

[Marc Levenson]

I did a search on that topic on RC last year, confirming that rumor.

Marc


CapFusion wrote:

> Did your "rolling eyes" catch any silver go thru the cartridge? Heehe....
> J/K.... Yes, I heard some rumor about that too but not too certain.
>
> CapFusion,...

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Bill Kirkpatrick]

You can "recycle" some part of the output from your RO back
into the input. RO membranes work by having the water sluce
across them. Flow rate is the #1 parameter. Oh, #2
parameter is the quality of the input water. If you feed
back, the input water will be 20%, or so, more contaminated.
This may, or may not, matter depending on how dirty the
water is to begin with.

But, to do this you'd need a pump. You have to keep low
pressure on the waste and feed that waste back into the line
feed pressure. Then you could use a smaller flow limiter
than rated for your membrane. You still have waste, must
have waste, no matter what. IMHO, waste the water, it
cheaper, you get better water, you clog your membrane less soon.

Your humidifier idea is ok, but a tank and pump idea isn't
so well considered. Wasting gallons of Water is FAR cheaper
than electricity to run the pump, and FAR FAR, and even
FARTHER, more "green". But, you SHOULD plumb the RO waste
to just dump into the humidifier's reservoir and let it just
drain through the overflow whatever water is there
(brackish) down the drain. Healthier for the humidifier,
but maybe forget the pump.

***************************
Mark Breithaupt wrote:


The humidifier is a disc type and uses a float valve to
> keep the reservoir full. An overflow in the storage tank to a drain for
> waste water that gets ahead of the humidifier's consumption. An additional
> feeder line connected to a float valve near the bottom of the waste water
> storage container, connected to the pre RO water supply, will keep the waste
> water tank (and humidifier) from running dry. In the spring, we'll run new
> pipe and divert the water feeding the humidifier to a tap on our deck where
> we keep our plants.Voila!
> Then of course we would need to install a wet bar on the deck to use any
> MORE excess water not used for plants LOL. And then maybe a small pond with
> a fountain....and some goldfish!.....
>
> Mark and A
>
>
> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Yes, use it for your plant or your lawn. It should have high phosphate and
>>other nutrient.
>>
>>When you indicate "(Our sewage bill reflects our water usage.)", I assume
>>they count water intake to your resident but not the output to your
>>drainage.
>>
>>CapFusion,...
>>
>>
>>"Mark Breithaupt" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>We bought the RO unit. 3 stage, 10GPD.
>>>We get about 5 gal. of waste for every 1.3 gal. of purified water.
>>>Any suggestions for using the excess water?
>>>I know that if certain chemical levels are above the limits of the RO
>
> unit
>
>>>performance you get lower purity.
>>>We're pondering the idea of recycling the waste water back through with
>
> a
>
>>>pump to maximize our water usage (Our sewage bill reflects our water
>>
>>usage.)
>>
>>>Testing the water to see if it has higher levels than the unit can
>
> handle
>
>>>would be the next most logical option.
>>>Anyone tried to do anything useful with their waste water?
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanx
>>>
>>>Mark and A
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>