Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 How Much Does Reverse Osmosis Installation Usually Cost in Tucson?
- 2 What Are the Most Common Water Contaminants in Tucson?
- 3 Can Residents in Tucson Benefit from Reverse Osmosis Treatment?
- 4 How Often Should Residents in Tucson Replace Reverse Osmosis Prefilters?
- 5 Do You Need a Water Softener with Your Reverse Osmosis System in Tucson?
How Much Does Reverse Osmosis Installation Usually Cost in Tucson?
The initial cost of the reverse osmosis water filtration system will depend on several factors. These factors range from where the device will be placed, how many systems are needed, the quality of the system, labor costs, and material costs. Each company will have its own estimates, and they may vary greatly. The city average for a reverse osmosis system is $300.
System Type
One of the largest factors that a consumer faces before a reverse osmosis system is installed is which type is requested. Smaller systems that can be installed under sinks or water heaters will cost less to order and install. They will also be easier to maintain. However, they will not provide the decontamination necessary for every outlet of the water system. A whole-home reverse osmosis system will cost over $1,000, but will treat all the water entering the home.
There are at least four types of reverse osmosis treatment systems. These include:
- 4-stage reverse osmosis drinking water system
- 5-stage reverse osmosis drinking water system
- Ultra-high efficiency reverse osmosis drinking system
- Microline 4-stage reverse osmosis drinking water system
Each system has its own advantages, including a multi-tiered filtration system, automatic shut off when the storage tank is full, and readily available filter cartridges. Design differences include whole home, under sink, slimline, and high-capacity tanks.
Labor
Installation of a reverse osmosis system requires hiring a plumber who knows the systems and can properly install the units. Labor charges can reach from $60 to nearly $100 per hour, depending on the company. Once the type of device is established, the company will estimate the length of time required to install the unit. Small units can be installed quickly, while whole-home units may require extra time and equipment to complete. Larger projects that require a large crew to complete may require a master plumber to be present during all or part of the working time. Master plumbers can charge almost double the price of a regular plumber, but are well-versed in all aspects of plumbing.
Materials and Permits
When working on water mains and rearranging plumbing in the home, the plumber will be required to obtain a permit before work begins. Once the work is complete, there will be an inspection to complete before the water service can be restored. Other materials will add to the cost, fittings, valves, and adhesives to alter the pipes may be needed. Additions to the filter can also cost more, for instance, adding a softener or carbon filter to further reduce contaminants and minerals.
No matter which type of reverse osmosis filtration system you choose, choosing the best plumber needs to be a priority. We can produce documentation of insurance, licensing, certification, and registration with the city. Before we start working, we can give you a copy of the permit. Choosing a plumber purely by cost may decrease the quality and may make you liable for damages and fines.
What Are the Most Common Water Contaminants in Tucson?
Tucson relies on groundwater wells to provide the area with adequate water for everyday living. With over 200 wells in operation, the water company blends the groundwater with the Colorado River aquifer before pumping to the treatment plants and on to the consumers. Tests are constantly performed on the drinking water to determine the levels of contaminants and minerals.
The latest reports indicate that the contamination levels are within the safe zone for all drinking water. However, it can contain elements of contamination from the source and the leaching of runoff water into the soils. Some of the most common contaminants include:
- Haloacetic acids
- Total trihalomethane
- Arsenic
- Selenium
- Trichloroethene
These contaminants are carefully maintained within the safe limits for consumption but can be further filtered out by a reverse osmosis filtration system. Adding a carbon filter can reduce the chlorine in the water, which is used to disinfect it. The system can also reduce the amount of sodium that naturally occurs in groundwater.
As the contaminants are monitored closely, the calcium and magnesium content of the water is brought down to the required levels. However, due to the location of the groundwater and the aquifer, there are numerous deposits of calcium and magnesium that leach into the waters. This causes the water to become hard. Hard water leaves behind deposits of calcium and magnesium that eat away at pipes and clog fixtures. It can even cause internal damage to well pumps and lawn systems. Hard water does not rinse detergents off skin, hair, or laundry as well as soft water does. Reduction of the hard water deposits is necessary for fresher tasting water and cleaner clothes and skin. However, reverse osmosis filtration systems are not designed to fully reduce the hardness of the water.
Can Residents in Tucson Benefit from Reverse Osmosis Treatment?
Reverse osmosis uses a technique that forces water through a semipermeable membrane that reduces the number of contaminants in the water. Tucson’s residents can benefit from the installation of a reverse osmosis system in a number of ways:
- Clean, fresh, great-tasting water
- Appliances last longer
- Reduced stress on pipes
- Thriving plants and animals
- Increased flavor in foods and clear ice
Residents with health issues like hypertension can benefit from the reduction of sodium in the water. Immunosuppressed residents and those experiencing declining health can be sensitive to the contaminants found in the water. Some medications can react to small amounts of contaminants and cause unforeseeable side effects. With a reverse osmosis system, health benefits from clean, clear, and fresh water increase positive results.
A four-stage filtration system works to remove the maximum amount of contamination from the water before it reaches your glass. The filters work like this:
- Stage 1 filters out coarse contaminants like sand, silt, rust, and scale.
- Stage 2 contains a carbon-based filter that removes volatile organic chemical compounds.
- Stage 3 consists of a membrane filter that removes inorganic compounds, salt, and metals.
- Stage 4 contains a second carbon filter to reduce the odor and purify the taste of the water.
There are five filter systems that run the water through a second filter to further reduce the organic compounds in the water before sending it through the last carbon filter. The taste of the water should greatly improve with the reverse osmosis system in place.
How Often Should Residents in Tucson Replace Reverse Osmosis Prefilters?
The EPA recommends that the system be monitored by a professional at least twice a year. During the inspection, the professional may recommend changing the prefilters or performing other maintenance tasks. Prefilters are designed to last between six months to a year, depending on use. Adequate monitoring of the filters, alert systems, and monitoring the amount of water flowing through the filters will determine the system filters’ lifespans.
A system that is not properly monitored may see a reduced filtration rate when the membrane of the filtration system begins to break down. Following a schedule of visual inspections, filter changes, and monitoring flow will help prolong the system’s use. Small units will need to be replaced more often due to their size and frequency of use. Larger whole home filters will have alerts and larger filters to accommodate the amount of water processed.
Do You Need a Water Softener with Your Reverse Osmosis System in Tucson?
While a reverse osmosis system doesn’t need to be supplemented with a water softener, there are benefits to the addition. Reverse osmosis systems remove contaminants and sodium, but natural elements are left largely intact. Calcium and magnesium are abundant in the waters as it is transported from the Colorado River to homes in Tucson. Arizona is plagued with some of the hardest water in the nation.
Hard water can play havoc on the internal workings of pipes and fixtures. They can be obvious or internal damages that are only noted with inspection or after a leak or breakage. There are a few ways to determine if your home has a hard water problem including:
- Streaks on glassware
- Difficulty rinsing the soap out of laundry
- Dry skin after a shower
- Odd tasting water
Once you have determined that hard water is the problem, you will want to investigate the pipes to ensure there are no deposits corroding or clogging the inside of the pipes. Appliances that are not performing like they did when they were new may be suffering from clogged pipes. An inspection from us can identify problems associated with hard water and recommend actions to reduce the repair or replacement cost.
Because of Arizona’s hard water problem, it is advisable to include a water softener when installing a reverse osmosis system in the home. The best results will come from installing the water softener at the point of entry rather than just the point of use. Installing the whole home system can reduce buildup in the pipes and help appliances last longer. Not only will it benefit the pipes, but your hair and nails can see a reduction in soap buildup. A water softener guarantees a clean water supply and healthy residents.
Regardless of the system you choose, its placement, or additional features, there is one thing that is necessary to keep the system in top operating condition. An annual inspection of the home’s pipes, filtration systems, water softeners, and appliances can alert you to any dangers or maintenance tasks that need to be completed or repaired before a disaster occurs. Contact us so we can follow you through your homeownership and maintain the plumbing and filtration systems adequately. We can ensure that the work is guaranteed so that any unforeseen problems can be fixed with minimal financing required.
