Why does the RO purifier discard water?

That’s a common and valid concern with RO water purifiers.  The truth is that RO purifiers have a pretty good reason to reject water. Read on to know all about it.

Why RO Purifiers Discard Water?

So, why does the RO purifier discard water? It all boils down to the technology. RO purifiers use a semi-permeable membrane that’s super-fine. This membrane blocks out impurities, such as dissolved salts and harmful substances. And it is through this discarded water that the rejected contaminants are pushed out. 

By carrying away impurities, the rejected water prevents them from clogging the membrane. In short, discarding the wastewater is the system’s way of keeping itself clean.  

How Much Water Does an RO Purifier Waste?

The next question that you might ask is, “How much water is wasted in RO?” This one’s a bit of a shocker, but most RO purifiers waste about two to three litres of water for every litre of pure water they produce. Older models may waste up to 4 litres. It’s like throwing out buckets of water every day.

But the good news is that this water is reusable – you can clean, mop, or water your plants with it.

Factors Affecting RO Water Wastage

RO purifier water wastage levels aren’t set in stone. They differ on account of several factors:

• Total Dissolved Solids: Higher TDS levels and impurities mean the system needs to reject more water to maintain a clean water supply.

   

• Water Pressure: Lower pressure forces your system to waste more water, allowing it to push enough through the membrane for purification.

   

• Condition of the Membrane: Old, clogged, or damaged membranes become less efficient, so they discard more water.

   

• Technology and System Design: Modern purifiers, such as the Native by Urban Company Native M2 Water Purifier, are designed to reduce water wastage. With its 10-stage purification system, 4-in-1 health booster (RO + UV + Copper + Alkaline), and IoT smart features, it provides efficient purification while being water- and energy-conscious.

   

• Maintenance Levels: Regularly replacing filters and scheduling timely servicing helps maintain optimal performance. With the Native M2, you can go up to 2 years without service, ensuring convenience and consistent purity.

Is RO Wastewater Harmful?

We mentioned this already, RO wastewater is not toxic or unusable. It is just regular water that has a higher concentration of salts, minerals, and impurities that the system filtered out. It does not have any dangerous chemicals or other contaminated waste. 

You can easily repurpose it for household chores like washing utensils, mopping floors, scrubbing your car, flushing toilets, or watering outdoor plants. While this water is not fit for drinking or cooking, you can channelise it for other activities since it is not harmful. So, it doesn’t need to go down the drain.

Conclusion:

On the face of it, RO purifiers appear to waste a significant amount of water – approximately three to five times (and sometimes more) the amount of water they produce. But that’s how the technology works. The discarded water plays a vital role in keeping:

1. The reverse osmosis water is safe for consumption, and 

    

1. The filtration system is up and running

The amount of discarded water depends on the water quality, the purifier model, and its maintenance. The bright side of the matter is that the wastewater is not actually wasted.  You can easily direct it towards other uses, such as gardening, washing, and similar domestic activities.