Water Purification FAQs

The right water purifier depends on the water source, TDS, hardness, microbial risk and daily consumption. Borewell, municipal and tanker water may require different purification technologies. A water test is recommended before selecting a purifier.

RO membranes reduce dissolved salts and several other impurities. UV technology is used to deactivate microorganisms, while UF membranes filter suspended particles and certain microorganisms. The appropriate technology should be selected according to the quality of the incoming water.

No. An RO purifier may not be necessary when the incoming water has acceptable TDS and other quality parameters. The purification technology should be selected after checking the water quality.

TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and indicates the approximate amount of dissolved salts and minerals in water. TDS alone cannot confirm whether water is safe; hardness, pH, microbial quality and other relevant parameters may also need to be tested.

An RO-based system is generally considered for water with high TDS. However, the purifier capacity, membrane, recovery rate and pretreatment requirements should be selected according to the incoming-water test report.

Borewell water may contain varying levels of TDS, hardness, iron and other impurities. A water test should be conducted before deciding whether an RO system, water softener, iron-removal system or additional pretreatment is required.

It depends on the actual quality of the municipal water and the condition of the building’s storage system. UV or UF purification may be sufficient in some cases, while mixed water sources or higher TDS may require an RO system.

More purification stages do not automatically mean better water quality. Each stage should have a clear purpose and should be suitable for the incoming water. Unnecessary stages may increase maintenance costs.

Storage capacity should be selected according to the number of users, daily drinking-water requirement and the availability of water and electricity. A larger storage tank may be useful for bigger families or locations with an irregular water supply.

Water from a correctly selected, installed and maintained purifier is generally used for drinking. However, the final water quality also depends on the incoming water, purifier condition and timely maintenance.

No. A TDS meter only provides an estimate of dissolved solids. It does not detect bacteria, viruses, specific chemicals, heavy metals or every possible contaminant.

Water hardness is mainly associated with dissolved calcium and magnesium salts. Hard water may cause scaling, white deposits and problems in pipelines and appliances. Hardness and TDS are different water-quality parameters.

An RO membrane reduces many dissolved salts and minerals, but the level of reduction depends on the incoming water, membrane and operating conditions. Proper system design and testing are necessary to achieve the required output-water quality.

A single TDS value cannot be considered ideal for every location and every person. Drinking-water suitability should be assessed by considering TDS along with pH, hardness, microbial quality and other relevant parameters.

A TDS controller generally adjusts output TDS by mixing treated and untreated water. A mineral cartridge may add selected minerals or modify the taste profile of treated water. Their suitability depends on the incoming water and purifier design.

An alkaline stage is used to modify the pH or mineral profile of water. The word “alkaline” does not guarantee complete water safety or any medical benefit. Purification and pH adjustment should be evaluated separately.

No. Boiling can deactivate many microorganisms, but it does not remove dissolved salts, hardness or many chemical contaminants. Boiling and RO purification serve different purposes.

A change in taste may be caused by a change in the water source, exhausted filters, storage-tank condition, membrane performance or prolonged stagnation. Both the purifier and the incoming water should be checked.

The service interval depends on usage, incoming-water quality and purifier type. Regular inspection is recommended, while filter replacement should be based on condition and performance rather than only a fixed calendar period.

Filter life depends on incoming-water quality, consumption, pressure and filter condition. Reduced flow, unusual taste, unpleasant odour or pressure loss may indicate that the purifier requires inspection.

RO membrane life is not fixed. It depends on feed-water quality, pretreatment, usage, operating pressure, scaling and maintenance. Performance testing is the best way to assess the membrane’s actual condition.

Slow flow may be caused by clogged filters, low inlet pressure, a weak pump, membrane fouling, incorrect tank pressure or blocked tubing. A technician should inspect the purifier to identify the exact cause.

Turn off the water supply and disconnect the electrical supply if it is safe to do so. Avoid opening the purifier without proper knowledge and arrange an inspection by a trained technician.

Yes. Deposits or contamination may develop inside the tank over time. Cleaning and sanitisation should be carried out according to the purifier type, manufacturer’s procedure and usage conditions.

Drain the old water from the storage tank and flush the system properly before use. After an extended shutdown, the tank, filters and overall purifier condition should be inspected.

Compatible parts may be used when their size, material, pressure rating and performance match the purifier’s requirements. Unsuitable components selected only for their lower price may affect purification performance or cause leakage.

Commercial RO capacity is normally measured in litres per hour, or LPH. It should be selected according to daily water consumption, peak demand, operating hours, storage capacity and incoming-water quality.

The main difference is the nominal treated-water production capacity. A 25 LPH plant is designed to produce approximately 25 litres per hour, while a 50 LPH plant is designed for approximately 50 litres per hour. Actual output may vary according to operating conditions.

A water report helps identify TDS, hardness, pH, iron and other relevant parameters. This information is required to select appropriate pretreatment, membranes, chemical dosing and plant capacity.

Pretreatment prepares raw water before it enters the RO membranes. Depending on the water quality, it may include a sand filter, activated-carbon filter, softener, micron filtration or chemical dosing.

Reject-water quantity is not fixed. It depends on the feed-water quality, plant design, recovery setting, membrane configuration and operating conditions. The system should be designed to balance recovery and membrane performance.

Depending on its quality, RO reject water may be used for floor cleaning, toilet flushing, gardening or other non-drinking applications. Its TDS and suitability should be checked before reuse.

Tank capacity should be selected according to hourly production, peak demand, operating schedule and backup requirement. Selecting a tank only according to the plant’s LPH rating may not be sufficient.

Stainless steel and FRP can both be used for suitable applications. The selection depends on water chemistry, hygiene requirements, pressure, corrosion resistance, installation environment, maintenance and budget.

Maintenance frequency depends on feed-water quality, operating hours, pressure readings and product-water quality. Maintaining a record of pressure, flow, TDS and servicing helps identify problems early.

Reduced output may be caused by low pressure, clogged prefilters, membrane fouling, scaling, temperature changes, pump problems or incorrect valve settings. Pressure, flow and water-quality readings should be checked during diagnosis.

These are common membrane-element size classifications. An 8040 membrane generally has a larger surface area and higher capacity than a 4040 membrane. Selection depends on plant capacity, pressure-vessel configuration and feed-water conditions.

Check the packaging, identification or serial details, authorised supply channel and available manufacturer-verification information. Authenticity should not be judged only by the label or a very low price.

Possible signs include increased product-water TDS, reduced permeate flow, increased pressure difference or frequent cleaning requirements. Operating data and membrane-performance testing should be used for proper evaluation.

Cleaning may be required when there is a significant change in normalised flow, salt rejection or pressure drop. The chemical, concentration, temperature and cleaning procedure should be selected according to the membrane type and type of fouling.

FRP vessel size depends on media quantity, required flow rate, contact time, operating pressure and application. It should not be selected only according to the inlet and outlet connection size.

A multiport valve controls the flow of water during filtration, backwashing, rinsing and other operating modes. Its type and size should match the filter vessel and required flow rate.

Antiscalant is a water-treatment chemical used to help control mineral scaling on RO membranes. The correct product and dosage should be selected according to the feed-water analysis and RO plant design.

There is no single dosage suitable for every plant. The dosage depends on feed-water chemistry, recovery rate, membrane type and antiscalant formulation. It should be calculated according to the specific application and product instructions.

No. Overdosing may cause unnecessary chemical consumption and operational problems. Antiscalant should be dosed through a calibrated dosing system according to the calculated requirement.

A pH booster is used to adjust the pH of treated water for a specific application. The chemical and dosage should be selected according to the water analysis, desired pH and intended use.

NSF certification indicates that the specific product has been evaluated according to the relevant standard and certified-use conditions. The exact product name, certification status and permitted application should be verified before purchase.

Testing frequency depends on the water source, application, seasonal changes and risk of contamination. Water should also be tested when the source, taste, colour or odour changes, or when a treatment system develops a problem.

A TDS meter estimates dissolved solids, a pH meter measures acidity or alkalinity, and a hardness test measures calcium and magnesium hardness. One test cannot replace the others because they measure different parameters.

Field test kits are useful for quick screening and routine monitoring. A qualified laboratory may be required for detailed analysis, specific contaminants, compliance testing or more reliable confirmation of water quality.