Daddy, where does permeate come from?

[eustis22]

So...a brand new season ready to start....time to unpack the membranes from their preservative baths and flush them clean in preparation for the season! But wai! I used all my permeate for my end of season flushing/washing/rinsing! I certainly didn't keep a tankful all year long to develop mold and slime and whatevs.

Where do you get your pre season permeate?

I really only have access to city water and, if pushed, some well water.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[maple flats]

I use city water. I pump it into my cleaned permeate tank and let it set for 3 days to minimize the chlorine, then I run my RO and flush , then do a soap wash 10 minutes, then a rinse 5 minutes minimum. I haul 275 gal,and I use it all to clean my 250 gph RO, then I'm ready to concentrate.

[DrTimPerkins]

1. Allow to sit in an open-top tank for 48 hrs. Sun and aeration/agitation will hasten the process.
2. Find a local producer who has already concentrated sap and get spare permeate from them.
3. Run city water through a deionizing cartridge (slowly).
4. Use sap and toss the first concentrate out.

[eustis22]

I think I have a small bubbler pump lying around I can use to agitate/aerate. Thanks for all the suggestions!