Zero-Waste Water Purification

[Ray]

As you know, I sell a lot of RO systems. Folks sometimes don't like RO, as there is a flush-water stream that some view as "waste" unless a reasonable use can be found for it - watering non-orchids, humidification, or in my case, filling an artificial pond that caters to local wildlife.

Because of that, and/or a small demand, many buy RO or distilled water at their local grocery store for as much as a$1/gallon, so I have come up with cost-effective alternatives: small deionization (DI) systems.

Rated at about 1/2 gallon per minute flow and roughly 3000 gallons capacity before needing cartridge replacement, one is a 2-stage unit (sediment removal and DI column) for plants (cost = about $0.02/gallon), and the other is a 3-stage (just under $0.03/gal) unit that has a pH stabilization column that adds Ca if you want drinking/cooking water or grow a lot of calcium-hungry plants like some paphs.

These are pretty compact - the larger, 3-stage unit occupies a volume of about 20" x 8" x 3".