RO Water Vending Machine

FAQ

What is Reverse Osmosis Water?

Reverse Osmosis is the reverse of Osmosis process. What is Osmosis process then? Osmosis is the movement of water from lower concentration region to higher concentration region through a semipermeable membrane. Semipermeable membran allows only passage of water but not ions (eg. Natrium, Calcium, Chlorine) or larger molecules (eg. glucose, urea, bacteria). For example, if you fertilize or spill some salt on your plants, your plants will wilt. This is because the water is drawn from the plant (higher concentration) to outside (lower concentration).

Reverse Osmosis, in the other way round, is the movement of water from higher concentration region to lower concentration region when a pressure is applied on the higher concentration region. The pressure exerted must be stronger than the "osmostic pressure".

How is the water purified?

RO waters are purified in several stages.

How often are the filters changed on RO system?

The filters changing frequency varies from location to location and from machine models to machine models. The determining factors include the tap water quality, environmental change, and the amount of water dispensed. Some of our machine models require less frequent in filters changing due to different filtration system used in the machine.

Don’t we need the minerals in drinking water?

Some people prefer mineral waters as the minerals in water can promote better taste. However, at certain level, minerals can be contaminants. Surface water is found in streams, rivers and lakes. As the water flows, it touches layers of soil and rocks on the ground. As a result, it absorbs and dissolves the substances that it touches. Some of the substances may be harmless. These contaminants comes from erosion of natural deposits, discharged from factories, households discharges, etc. The level of contaminants depends on the local water quality.

What is TDS?

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), also refers as Total Hardness, are solids in water that can pass through a 2 micron filter. These solids or materials include carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, organic ions, and other ions. The more materials dissolved into the water the higher the Total Dissolved Solids. In drinking water a limit of 500 mg/L is desirable. RO water contains <0.01 mg/l TDS which has a standard much higher than than the secondary standard of 500 mg/l TDS set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA).

What contaminants are typically found in city water?

Although the local authority always maintain the recommended Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for various impurities in city water, there are still reported cases of polluted water in some cities. These contaminants include Arsenic, Aluminium, Chloride, Chlorine, Fluoride, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Trihalomethanes and other materials. A lot can happen when the treated tap water travels to your faucet. Corrosion of household plumbing systems, leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines, leaching of PVC pipes and other water treatment plants problems can produce contaminants like lead, copper, vinyl chloride, asbestos, brass and PVC which are all destructive to human body health. Potential health effects include increased risk of cancer, kidney, liver or central nervous system problems, blue-baby syndrome, skin damage and others health threatening diseases.

What is chlorine?

Chlorine is water additive used to control microbes. However high concentration of chlorine is fatal. It can cause eye/nose irritation and stomach discomfort. It also irritates respiratory systems especially in children and elderly.

What are trihalomethanes?

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are byproducts of drinking water disinfection. It is formed from the reaction of chlorine or bromine with organic matter in the water being treated. High concentration of THMs can increase risks of cancer and cause liver, kidney or central nervous system problems.

What are chloramines?

Chloramines are used in low concentration to as water additive to control microbes in municipal water. It is used as a alternative to Chlorine because it is more stable, produces less chlorine odor and has improved taste. However high concentration of chloramines can cause anemia and irritation to eye/nose, and stomach discomfort.

What about fluoride?

Fluoride is low concentration is used to reduce dental cavity in teeth. However, in high concentration, it is toxic and can be absorbed by intestines when ingested directly.

My water comes from a well.  Why should I purchase RO waters ?

Well water is ground water. It fell onto Earth's surface, seeped into the ground and occupied the porous space in some subsurface material. Big particles like leaf chunks are filtered out. However, human-made substances, naturally occuring chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, other chemicals introduced by human's activities can be found in ground water. If the well is located near an area where there is high livestock and farming activity, the water will get further contaminated with pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxic organic and inorganic elements. By purchaing RO waters you can drink without fear and drink to your health.