Point of Use Reverse Osmosis Systems

An under-sink reverse osmosis system removes dissolved contaminants a water softener does not address, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, chlorine, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane plus carbon stages, producing crisp, purified water for drinking, cooking, coffee, and ice.

Yes, because a softener and a reverse osmosis system do different jobs. A softener removes hardness minerals to protect plumbing and appliances throughout the home, while a point-of-use RO unit polishes water at one tap, removing dissolved contaminants like lead and nitrates. Together they deliver soft water everywhere and purified drinking water at the kitchen.

A point-of-use reverse osmosis system can be installed under the kitchen sink, in a basement, or in a utility or mechanical room, anywhere with a cold water line and a drain. A dedicated line then carries purified water to a separate faucet at the kitchen sink, freeing up under-sink cupboard space.

Reverse osmosis filters typically need changing about once or twice per year, depending on your water quality and usage. The carbon and sediment cartridges are the routine replacements, while the RO membrane itself lasts longer and is replaced only periodically. Range Water can handle this simple annual maintenance for Northern Minnesota homes.

Yes, reverse osmosis noticeably improves taste by removing chlorine, dissolved solids, and other contaminants that affect flavor and odor. Many Northern Minnesota homes notice better-tasting coffee, tea, ice, and cooking water after installing a point-of-use RO system, since the membrane delivers consistently clean, crisp water at the tap.

A point-of-use reverse osmosis system is generally more economical than ongoing bottled water purchases and produces fresh purified water on demand from a dedicated faucet. It eliminates plastic waste and trips to the store, and routine maintenance is limited to filter changes about once or twice per year.

Yes. Some water goes to the drain, and Hellenbrand publishes figures for the Millennium Pro. Its manual lists drain flow at 3 to 5 times product flow, and an efficiency rating of 26 percent, meaning the share of incoming water that reaches you as treated water in typical daily use. The manual says these figures are for comparison only. An automatic shutoff valve closes the feed water once the storage tank is full.

Often, yes. Hellenbrand's recommended feed water limits for the Millennium Pro are iron under 0.1 ppm, manganese under 0.05 ppm, no hydrogen sulfide, and hardness under 10 grains per gallon or softened. The manual also says softened water is preferred because it extends the life of the membrane. Our free in-home test reads hardness, iron, manganese, pH, TDS and chlorine on the spot, and a rotten egg smell points to hydrogen sulfide, so mention it when you book.

The Minnesota Department of Health lists bacteria and viruses among what reverse osmosis is designed to fully or partially remove. Even so, the Millennium Pro manual warns in capitals against using the system on water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after it. MDH recommends testing a well for coliform bacteria every year. If a test is positive, MDH says to use boiled or bottled water until the issue is addressed, disinfect the well, and test again.

The Pro+ adds a permeate pump. Otherwise Hellenbrand's two brochures describe the same stages: a sediment and carbon block pre-filter rated to 5 microns, the membrane, the storage tank, and a carbon post-filter, with the same 6 to 12 month filter interval. The brochure says the permeate pump forces product water into the storage tank, reduces membrane back pressure, and cuts wastewater by up to 80 percent.

Not necessarily. The Millennium Pro manual's standard install puts a dispensing faucet through the sink or countertop, and says the easiest route is an existing sprayer hole. That faucet also carries the anti-siphon air gap the manual requires for the drain line. The Titan Water Selector, the kitchen faucet guide above, connects to your existing faucet instead, and Hellenbrand notes the filtered stream runs about half the force of the tap stream. We confirm the drain arrangement on site.