Tips and Tricks for R/O runoff conservation

[WaterWitchin]

Ray mentioned there are ways to utilize, conserve, limit, not sure of right verbiage, the "waste water" when making R/O water. Maybe the right way to say it is have less waste water when using R/O?

I use runoff to water outdoor plants in warmer months. Since my R/O system is on a basement utility sink, the runoff goes to a large tub, and I pump it outside to a nearby fern bed. From around mid November through end of February, it mostly gets dumped. Too cold here to leave basement windows open, and too cold for me to be outside running around with a hose.

I'd love to hear others' suggestions and Ray's tips. Please share.

[Ray]

There are mechanical things you can do, alternate uses , etc.

I have an article on this subject at my website.

[Roberta]

Here's what I do:
I have a 1:2 150 gpd system. 1 55 gal. drum for the RO water (float valve to turn system off when it's full) and 2 55 gal drums for the effluent (1:2 ratio) The effluent side is set up so that water goes equally into each drum by running through a T connector. To get the water out, I have a shallow well pump for the RO that feeds into sprinklers for the greenhouse and growing area, and a hose, and another shallow well pump for the effluent side. The effluent is piped into the front lawn and flower bed sprinkler systems. (Use a backflow valve on all sprinkler valves, including the original one that goes to the house water supply to the sprinkler line, so the water goes in the correct direction depending on where it's coming from.) I have the output pump on a sprinkler timer - I have figured out how long it takes to drain the effluent drums. There is a cutoff switch attached to the pump, so if it reaches the bottom before the timer turns off the pump won't run dry. So I could still use city water on the front sprinklers if I wanted to, but since I started using the RO effluent, I have had no need to. Sounds complicated, but once set up, it's all automatic.

I do live in a frost-free area. This setup would not work where winter would freeze sprinkler lines. However, if the system were in a basement or other protected area and you could figure out where you wanted to put the effluent, the same configuration of RO and effluent storage tanks and pumps could be used.

[WaterWitchin]

I'm not sure I could do all the automatic part, but just realized there's no reason to dispose of the wintertime waste water. I have several food grade plastic 55 gal drums. I could just put them in basement, fill them up, then utilize later in the year when weather cooperates. Do the same pumping method I use when it's not too inclement. Never thought of using something that large, but very doable. Sometimes the answer is right in front of ya, and you can't see the tree in the forest.

---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 AM ----------

PS So Ray, are you saying if I use a combination of hot and cold water instead of just the cold I've been using, the added warmth gives better R/O output? I've only been using straight cold. Was afraid warmer would damage the membranes.

[Ray]

As long as the water is no higher than about 95-100F, it'll be no issue.

If your water is currently 60F, taking it that high will approximately double the pure water output, all else being the same.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

As long as the water is no higher than about 95-100F, it'll be no issue.

If your water is currently 60F, taking it that high will approximately double the pure water output, all else being the same.

Well shoot! That's a BIG difference in output. Who knew? I guess you. Thanks!