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REVERSE OSMOSIS DRINKING MACHINES
In response to numerous queries by our clients, and members of the public, we would like to give some FREE,
HONEST and IMPARTIAL information about reverse osmosis drinking machines (particularly the ones that come in 2 parts; filters
and water vessel). I would like to note first of all, that we have nothing to gain by giving you this information as we do
not install these systems any longer anyway.
1. They are only guaranteed to supply Potable drinking water if your
supply is already classified as Potable drinking water. (Donīt take my word for it! This is also stated within the instruction
manual in small print!)We have not yet come across a mains water supply in this area that IS classified as drinking water.
2.
They constantly waste water, even when you are not using them. We recently performed a test for a client who has one of these
units under their kitchen sink, and couldnīt work out why their water bill was so high. The waste pipe of the unit was disconnected
and put into an empty 1.5 litre water bottle. Within 5 minutes the bottle was full. My calculations therefore showed that
over the course of 7 days, the unit was pushing approximately 3000 litres of water straight down the drain!!! (Incidentally,
if you have a water deposit and pump system, and you notice your pump switching on for a few seconds a regular intervals,
and you have a drinking machine, this could be the reason!!)
3. As they are sealed units, when comes the time to change
the filters (which can cost up to 80€ for all 5 to be replaced) they have a tendency to start leaking. By no means does
this happen EVERY time, but it does happen alot. So there is always the risk you could be wading into your kitchen in the
morning!
If you do already have a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Machine or integrated Britta filter, and you also have or
are thinking about having a water softener installed, please ensure that the drinking machine has an independent water supply.
Reverse Osmosis machines and Britta filters should not be installed downstream from a water softener (Once again, donīt take
my word for it! This is also in the manual)
Whenever any of our clients ask us for advice about how to get drinking
water, we always say the same two things.
1. Buy it from the supermarket
2. Go to your local fuente that supplies potable
drinking water (thereīs one in Mojacar Pueblo) and fill up your water bottles there
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WATER SOFTENERS
What is a water softener and how does it work?
Home water softeners are appliances that trade the calcium and magnesium ions present in the water source
with sodium ions (which are chemical magnets), thereby making the water soft.
A home water softener has what is called
a "resin chamber" which is made up of minute beads of sodium ions. As the water
enters the resin chamber, the sodium ions attract the calcium and magnesium ions and swap places with them, making the water
mineral-free and soft. When the sodium ions run out, a water softener control
valve goes into action and transfers the collected magnesium and calcium ions into a brine (salt) tank, which is also a part
of the water softener. The brine tank drains out the magnesium and calcium ions
present in the resin tank and replaces them with sodium ions.
Water
softener are either demand based (after a certain number of litres have been processed), or time based (e.g. twice week).
Regeneration happens in the early hours of the morning, depending on how you set it. It goes through several cycles, which
are basically:
- Fill: Water is passed to
the salt tank
- Brining: Water is left in
the tank to form brine
- Rinse: The brine is used
to rinse the resin, remove the calcium that it has removed in the past, and make it able to remove calcium again
- Back Wash:
The resin tank is flushed for residues and iron deposits
- Fast Rinse: The resin is
rinsed from all the above
- Service: This means that
the water softener is serving soft water for the house
The result is that the water is cleaner, does not clog up pipework, taps and water-using appliances with
mineral residues, increasing the lifespan of appliances by making them do the same amount of work in a shorter time and more
efficiently, and it makes your clothes feel softer.
There
are many brands of water softeners out there in the market. Many are rebranded.
What do I get for my money?
- 30 litre or 40 litre water softener, with pre
and after filter, along with integral mains bypass, supplied and fitted
- Water Softeners manufactured by General Electric
with Spanish distributors ensuring availability of any necessary spare parts or service in the future.
- Specifically designed to be able to cope with
the extreme levels of water hardness in Spain
- Unit can hold program memory for up to 8 hours
in case of power interruption, before re-programming of certain settings is required.
- Classified as a luxury item, as a 30 litre unit
will use up to 100 litres of water in order to clean itself (on average once every 5 days, depending on water usage)
- Running costs include:
- salt tablets (normally between 6-8€ per
bag). Once again, dependant on water usage, one bag can last between 10-28 days
- Pre filter (approx 8€). When the filter is dirty enough to stop you from being able to see its surface, it needs to be either cleaned
or changed. This filter can be washed one or two times before it needs to be
replaced. Frequency of replacement is wholly dependant on the quality of your
initial water supply.
- After filter (between 12-15€). This is a taste and odour filter. Frequency of replacement
is dependant on water usage, normally between 6mths and 2 yrs. Contains what
looks like crystals. When all the crystals have dissolved, the filter needs to
be replaced.
- Mains electrical supply. Minimal electrical usage; just enough to power the digital display and timer motor.
Prices of a 30 litre Water Softener, with pre and after filter, supplied and fitted, start at 1.100€
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