Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 How Much Does Reverse Osmosis Installation Usually Cost in Ocala?
- 2 What Are the Most Common Water Contaminants in Ocala?
- 3 Can Residents in Ocala Benefit From Reverse Osmosis Treatment?
- 4 How Often Should Residents in Ocala Replace Reverse Osmosis Prefilters?
- 5 Do You Need a Water Softener With Your Reverse Osmosis System in Ocala?
How Much Does Reverse Osmosis Installation Usually Cost in Ocala?
If you plan on having a reverse osmosis system installed in your Ocala home, you can expect to pay around $475. There are several factors that affect the final price you pay, and in some cases, you can spend upwards of $1,000 on a high-quality system. Some of the factors that will help determine your final cost are listed below.
Cost Factor: Brand
Like most products on the market, brand names can come with extra dollar signs attached. At Mr Blue Plumbing, we’re familiar with all the major brands on the market and we can help you pick a brand that you can trust while being cost-effective at the same time. Several brand names have a reputation of providing quality products while others should be avoided at all costs. Together, we’ll pick the best one for your home that you feel comfortable purchasing.
Cost Factor: Type
Reverse osmosis systems come in all shapes and sizes, and there are several types of systems on the market. Systems that fit under your sink or on your countertops are much cheaper than whole-house systems that can cost you upwards of $1,000. We’ll choose the system that fits your needs best, but your final price will be impacted by the type of reverse osmosis system you choose.
Cost Factor: Stages and Features
Reverse osmosis systems are composed of several stages that filter your water. Some systems have three stages while others can have up to seven different filtration stages for crystal clear water. You can expect to pay more for your system with each additional filtration stage that it offers. Some brands offer extra features that will come with an added cost, but they can be worth the price. An example includes an add-on that adds alkalinity to the water by adding minerals to your water supply. With each extra feature, your final price will increase and we’ll help you decide which ones are best to include and which features aren’t worth the added cost.
What Are the Most Common Water Contaminants in Ocala?
Each year, Ocala’s Water Department releases a water quality report and the city’s water continuously meets and exceeds all of the state and federal standards of safety. Unfortunately, there are still many contaminants that exist in the city’s water supply at low levels and these chemicals can pose serious health risks to small children, pregnant women, and people with immunocompromised conditions. Here are some of the contaminants we’ve found in Ocala’s water most often.
Arsenic
Arsenic can be found naturally in rocks and soil and it’s typically detected in private well water. Many fertilizers and other products containing arsenic can eventually make their way into the water supply, posing a significant risk for the people who drink water straight from the tap. If you have your water tested and arsenic is present, a reverse osmosis system is the best solution to your problem. Without proper filtration, you can risk all kinds of health issues including skin lesions, stomach and liver disease, nervous system, and respiratory problems among others.
Chromium
Chromium has been commonly accepted as a significant health risk when inhaled, but experts are finding that when ingested, it can also cause serious problems. Chromium in drinking water at certain levels will act as a carcinogen, but studies still haven’t pinpointed a safe level for consumption. Clearly, more research needs to be done, but in the meantime, no level has been deemed safe for consumption. The best way to keep chromium out of your drinking water is by installing a reverse osmosis system in your Ocala home.
Lead
Lead can be very dangerous to young children, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised. Although Ocala water doesn’t contain any lead, it can still be found in old pipes. Some old plumbing systems are made with lead pipes that can corrode and leech into the tap water. Old solder can also contain lead where pipes and parts have been connected. If you’re worried about lead in your water supply, have it tested by a professional. We’ll help you decide whether you need to have your pipes replaced or if a reverse osmosis system will solve the problem.
Haloacetic Acids
When consumed at high levels over many years, haloacetic acids can increase your risk of developing several cancers including bladder, colon, and rectal cancers. Research has also shown that consumption can cause problems with a woman’s reproductive health during pregnancy. A reverse osmosis system will effectively eliminate the risk of your water being contaminated with these dangerous chemicals so you can drink your tap water without worrying about adverse health effects.
Nitrates
Nitrates are often found in private wells and they can pose serious risks for babies that drink bottles of formula made from the tap. When babies consume too much nitrate, their blood’s ability to carry oxygen is affected, causing a condition known as blue baby syndrome. If you have small children at home or you’re worried about nitrates in your water, have a professional test your water supply. We’ll help you choose the best reverse osmosis system to keep your family safe and give you peace of mind.
Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS)
PFHxS is one of many chemicals that are used in lots of consumer products. It can be found in groundwater and especially in private wells. If consumed, this chemical can affect the immune system and liver and cause hormonal issues as well as fetal development problems and even cancer. According to the Environmental Working Group (or EWG), PFHxS are found in the local water in Ocala and should be eliminated for safety. As a homeowner, your best defense is to have your water tested, and if this chemical is detected, have a reverse osmosis system installed in your home.
Can Residents in Ocala Benefit From Reverse Osmosis Treatment?
According to the Florida Department of Health, the water supply can be contaminated with several known substances. Some of them include:
- Bacteria
- Nitrates
- Lead
- Ethylene dibromide (EDB)
- Tetrachlorethylene (PCE)
- Temik
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to make sure the water you’re drinking is safe for your family to consume. Reverse osmosis systems eliminate nearly all the contaminants that could be harmful if consumed so you can have peace of mind each time you fill up a glass from the tap. In addition to safety, a reverse osmosis system will enhance the flavor so you can drink delicious tap water that you know is absolutely safe to consume.
How Often Should Residents in Ocala Replace Reverse Osmosis Prefilters?
One of the most important ways to maintain your reverse osmosis system is by regularly changing the filters. If you fail to change your filters, you can cause damage to your system, rendering it ineffective. Here’s a crash course on how and when to change your filters.
Sediment Pre-Filter
You will need to change the sediment pre-filter every six to twelve months. If your water supply has high turbidity, it’s recommended that you change the filter more often, but Ocala’s water is nice and clear, so you can wait closer to twelve months to take care of this chore.
Carbon Pre-Filter
Your carbon pre-filter will also need to be replaced every six to twelve months. If you forget, you can risk overworking the membrane or causing the water supply’s quality to be significantly worse.
Reverse Osmosis Membrane
This membrane needs to be replaced every two years. Without this essential piece to the system in perfect working order, your water quality will not be up to standard and you’ll taste the difference.
Carbon Post-Filter
This essential filter can be replaced every 12 months, but make sure you keep up with it. Don’t wait until your water tastes bad, because by then, it’s been way too long. If you forget to change the post-filter, you can risk clogging your entire system or causing serious damage that will be expensive to repair.
Do You Need a Water Softener With Your Reverse Osmosis System in Ocala?
The easiest answer is no, you don’t have to have a water softener in order to have a reverse osmosis system in your home. The longer answer is a little more complicated than that. In Ocala, the water hardness is 180ppm, which places the city’s water at the high end of hard on a hardiness scale. The city’s hard water will create a scale that will cause the reverse osmosis membrane to work much harder than it should, and you’ll have to replace it sooner than the recommended 24 months.
The city’s hard water will also force your reverse osmosis system to become less efficient and it can even damage your system, leaving you with expensive repairs. Many homeowners choose to alleviate this problem by installing a water softener to work alongside their reverse osmosis system. Together, this whole house system works in harmony to provide your family with delicious drinking water that is safe to consume.
If you’re considering a whole house system, we can discuss your many options. Together, we can come up with a plan that fits your family’s needs best and doesn’t break the bank in the process.
