Is rain water ok for RO startup?

[pdr]

A one-inch rainfall on our metal roof would generate hundreds-of-gallons of soft water. OK to fill the permeate tank with it for the RO's initial rinse-wash-rinse cycles?

[markcasper]

I would think it would be ok. Its certainly not WELL WATER!!!! I keep a tank full of permeate over and use it at start up each season, works fine for me.

[maple flats]

I'm not so sure. A metal roof is exposed to all sorts of contaminants from leaf litter to squirrel feces, bird droppings, dust, mold, mildew and so forth. I don't like those possibilities. I prefer good well water or de-chlorinated city water.

[BreezyHill]

I would not run rain water through my unit. There is so much stuff in rain water depending on where the clouds came from...was the neighbors wood stove dumping ash on the roof, what kind of growth is on the roof. What chemicals are in your roof material, etc. I have a slate roof and it is starting to grow the funny stuff that is on some of the trees. After the first hard freeze the next rain washed it off mostly.

We have a water treatment unit for our well...RO membrane unit. If we don't use it the water stains are unreal. I use that water with no issues. You can buy one of those units off CList pretty cheap in Albany area. I have seen them for $25 for a small unit. Ours is built to do the two houses on the farm and the barn and is much larger.

What about a couple bottles of purified water from your local water supplier. I know a place in this area that bottled water and said if you brought your one tank they would fill me for 1/4 penny per gallon...filled my 1600 gallon truck for $4. When our well pump went down. Seemed like a good deal to me.

Ben

[OldManMaple]

Yes, but I would RO it first :lol:

[Urban Sugarmaker]

What about creek water? I can't test with my tap water because it is municipal water and it is chlorinated.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

You can buy distilled water for less than $1 per gallon. Buy some of that and keep catching what is coming out and recirculate it.

[BreezyHill]

Creek Water...depends on what is/was upstream. E Coli, Gardaí, BVD, PI3, Leptospirosis, are all diseases that are able to survive in water for extended periods of time and not something you will want in your RO membranes. I am sure the deer didn't pee in the water. LOL

Put a good filter on the well water and run it...then you can wash it and the ph of 12-13 will kill most anything and store her for the winter...or just wait til spring. New membranes are to be flushed for a while when new according to the papers on my last set of xles.

[Urban Sugarmaker]

I'm not so sure. A metal roof is exposed to all sorts of contaminants from leaf litter to squirrel feces, bird droppings, dust, mold, mildew and so forth. I don't like those possibilities. I prefer good well water or de-chlorinated city water.

Do you know the best way to de-chlorinate? I was thinking of using a fish tank chemical from a pet store. But I am wondering if there's anything in the chemical that might be bad for the membrane. I could just buy some distilled water, but how much do I need to flush and test for leaks with a brand new XLE 4040 single post?

[cncaboose]

I''ve been saving distilled water from a dehumidifier in 5 gallons jugs to start mine.

[sapman]

Do you know the best way to de-chlorinate? I was thinking of using a fish tank chemical from a pet store. But I am wondering if there's anything in the chemical that might be bad for the membrane. I could just buy some distilled water, but how much do I need to flush and test for leaks with a brand new XLE 4040 single post?

A carbon filter works well for removing chlorine. Not really sure how many gallons a simple cartridge filter is good for. I've installed whole house carbon filters, eg. 9x48 tank. If I had municipal water, I would definitely be treating all the water coming in.