RO for use in my house

[estación seca]

Look up your most recent water quality report. I'm surprised every year.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Look up your most recent water quality report. I'm surprised every year.

My water quality report is only minimally useful... it assures me that calcium rather than sodium is the cation that contributes most to the TDS but what actually comes out of the tap is variable. Most of the time the water comes from the local aquifer (which is replenished by large-scale purification of wastewater effluent) but occasionally they'll add some Metropolitan Water District water that is much higher in TDS. While my little TDS meter is not all that accurate (even with calibration) it is useful for comparative testing on different days and in different months. The water quality report lists TDS as 156-466 ppm (a range big enough to drive a truck through) ... the first would be wonderful, 180 is about as low as I have ever tested it. 466 is not horrible but it's not great - haven't seen it that high very often either. In the real world, winter it tends to be in the low-to-mid 200's, in summer the low-to-mid 300's most of the time. Much better than most of southern California.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Roberta

My water quality report....

I meant Rothrock. Portland's water is great. Beaverton's might be.

[WaterWitchin]

Yes, water quality is just like real estate... Location, location, location. Here's where to locate Beaverton's water quality reports:

Archive Center • Beaverton, OR • CivicEngage

If you want to go forward with RO, ask away...

[Ray]

Rothrock, it sounds like the water contains a lot of calcium, which is a double-edged sword: on the “plus” side is that it is an important nutrient and you don’t need to supplement it. On the “minus” side is the mineral buildup, but worse, it might have a high alkalinity value (resistance to pH change upon addition of an acid, NOT necessarily a high pH, although that’s possible). High alkalinity can lead to the substrate becoming excessively basic.

Like most cities, and as required by law, Beaverton’s report focuses on human health, so gives no useful “plant health” information. I strongly suggest you get it analyzed by a plant-centric lab. I used JRPeters in Allentown PA when I moved, but I’m sure there are others.

I’ve been using RO for about 30 years, and building and selling systems for about 25, so if you want to talk (or Zoom) to learn more and to answer questions, I’d be happy to, with no obligation to buy one from me if you decide to do so. Drop me an email or PM with contact info.

[Rothrock42]

Thanks Ray. Will do that. If I'm going to buy, I would buy from you!

estación seca and WaterWitchin thanks I have looked at the latest Beaverton numbers 68 to 191 ppm. With the residue I'm seeing I think that maybe it is at the higher end, or, as Ray suggests, maybe it is just calcium -- with all that can bring.