AFFORDABLE REVERSE OSMOSIS INSTALLATION IN Columbus, OH

How Much Does Reverse Osmosis Installation Usually Cost in Columbus?

We’re seeing more residents here in Columbus turn to reverse osmosis systems for good reasons. Despite the drinking water being safe to drink in Columbus, numerous contaminants have been found during water quality tests.

While most residents think the water is safe, a reverse osmosis system is what everyone needs to ensure their water is truly safe to consume. The big question for most residents who want one of these units is how much it’s going to cost them.

Reverse osmosis equipment is not always cheap to install. Still, knowing the water one drinks and uses is truly pure is worth the cost. No one wants to face the risk of making themselves or their family sick from assuming the tap water is contaminant-free.

Is there a set price for installing one of the systems? It’s challenging to come up with an exact figure because so many variables go into installing one. According to most estimates, a whole-home system is the cheapest and runs anywhere from $500 to $2,800. A single tap system is considerably cheaper and can be installed for as little as $150.

Commercial grade systems cost the most since water use is going to be more significant for a business. These can cost up to $20,000 on the highest end. What other factors could affect costs? Take a look at these three:

Equipment Size

If a household uses more water than average, it’s going to require a bigger system. Some individuals who live by themselves are perfectly content with an under-sink or countertop unit. Those basic types are the easiest to install and also the cheapest.

Bigger households with heavy water usage may need a whole-house system. Other mid-range sizes also apply, yet the cost variances are enormous based on the size needed.

In rural environments, a bigger system might be needed to help remove more contaminants. Water in those regions usually has higher salinity, not including hard water issues. Reverse osmosis keeps the water soft and as pure as possible.

Filtration Equipment

Prefilters and post filters are going to be needed for a reverse osmosis system, but some people prefer getting a little more sophisticated. More complex forms of filtration are available on some reverse osmosis units.

A good example is one using UV light to kill all water contaminants before going through a tap. How much purification a resident wants in their water affects costs dramatically.

Standard filtration systems involve a three-part process of a prefilter, post filter, and membranes.

Extra Equipment

Sometimes residents need other features added to their reverse osmosis system to make it work efficiently based on personal needs. We’ve installed things like pumps to boost water pressure, remineralization technology, plus unique methods to change filters without accumulating germs.

Anything extra like this has a separate cost in addition to what was already installed. In some cases, this might mean a resident needing these things later, when discovering they want more safety or convenience.

What Are the Most Common Water Contaminants in Columbus?

More than a few contaminants have been found in Columbus’s water, with about a dozen of them reported above recommended health guidelines. While the city does its best to amend this and still provide quality water, some of these contaminants could be dangerous to certain individuals.

Let’s take a look at some contaminants Columbus found in its water quality report:

Bromodichloromethane

Residents often find bromodichloromethane in their water since it’s naturally formed as a byproduct after chlorine is added. It’s said small amounts of this contaminant won’t cause health problems. However, some studies with lab animals have shown that high amounts could cause liver and kidney damage.

If not one of the worst contaminants out there, a reverse osmosis system assures it doesn’t end up in one’s city or well water.

Bromoform

Chlorinated water also creates bromoform, something known to cause possible nervous system issues and liver/kidney malfunctions. This could happen from inhaling it or direct ingestion from drinking water with chlorine.

Chloroform

As yet another contaminant released due to chlorination, chloroform is usually ingested from mere inhalation. The contaminant may cause nervous system issues as a short-term effect, though long-term exposure could cause liver problems or hepatitis.

Chromium

Frequently known as the Erin Brockovich contaminant, chromium-6 was known to cause cancer in many cities until the famous attorney called it out. Here in Columbus, it’s also been detected but not at alarming levels.

Still, reverse osmosis can ensure this contaminant doesn’t get into one’s water supply and place their family at risk.

Dibromoacetic Acid

So many contaminants are created here as the result of chlorinating water. Dibromoacetic acid is yet another in this mold with the potential to cause cancer or changes in fetal growth and development.

Dibromochloromethane

Related to bromoform, dibromochloromethane can cause much of the same health issues bromoform does. Eating or breathing this could cause brain functions to slow down temporarily.

Nitrate

Many Columbus residents who use well water are prone to getting nitrate in the water. It forms naturally, yet could cause various health issues, mostly in infants and pregnant women.

It typically gets into the water due to the use of fertilizers around private wells.

Trichloroacetic Acid

Once again, trichloroacetic acid is known to be created from the use of chlorine. We see so many contaminants like this when we test the water for our customers, particularly if they go off the city water lines.

Unfortunately, trichloroacetic acid can cause cancer and pregnancy complications if consumed too heavily.

Other contaminants found in our water here that are considered at a safer level include atrazine, fluoride, monochloroacetic acid, and vanadium, to name a few.

Can Residents in Columbus Benefit from Reverse Osmosis Treatment?

Anyone can benefit from having a reverse osmosis system installed inside or near their home. Considering it can remove as much as 99% of total dissolved solids from one’s water, it’s an investment paying back exponentially in keeping one’s health.

After all, we only get one chance to keep our health intact. Medical bills are also something everyone wants to steer clear of at any point in life.

Some people still think drinking unfiltered water is fine as long as contaminants are said to be safe. As trustworthy as most water reports are, contaminants can affect people in different ways.

What are some more specific benefits of owning a reverse osmosis system?

Improves the Taste of Water

In some families, kids may not be drinking enough water because they hate the taste of city water. With chlorine possibly being the reason behind this, RO systems make the water as pure as bottled water.

Rather than having kids turn to unhealthy soft drinks to quench their thirst, pure water from the tap is good for their health in the long run. And, for those who need to drink more water to stave off dehydration, having pure water available is a major plus.

Saves Money

The amount of money Columbus residents have paid to buy bottled water over the years is likely tremendous. Being able to enjoy pure water from a reverse osmosis system allows good-tasting water that is equal to bottled water.

Spending a fortune on large bottles of water doesn’t have to be a part of a family’s grocery budget anymore. Besides, it also brings more water efficiency in the home, saving on water bills in the process.

Helps Improve the Taste of Food

Since water is used in nearly every type of food, it makes any recipe tastier. Chlorine and other contaminants often alter the taste of many foods, making them unappealing.

Restaurants now use reverse osmosis systems to ensure the taste of their food is pure and never tainted. Plus, it’s a good green practice that customers appreciate. Awareness of this by restaurant patrons can mean customer loyalty for years to come.

At home, better-tasting food means no one complaining about eating food they should be eating. Healthier dishes will finally taste appealing, and these will provide proper nutrition to the entire family.

Easy to Maintain

Another great benefit to this is, once the reverse osmosis system is installed, taking care of it is relatively simple. All you need to do is remember that filters and membranes need to be changed at certain intervals, which is something we’ll look at next in detail.

How Often Should Residents in Columbus Replace Reverse Osmosis Prefilters?

The prefilter on a reverse osmosis unit is one of the most important functions because this step eliminates the most contaminants during the filtering process. Because of that, a prefilter’s dirt accumulates faster than that of the postfilter or membranes.

Our team recommends all households replace RO prefilters every six months. If water usage in the house is lower, changing once a year is more than suitable.

Remember, prefilters are not the only thing homeowners need to change to keep the reverse osmosis system running optimally. The membranes on the unit need changing every two to four years, depending on how much water usage there is annually.

We recommend changing the membranes every couple of years if you have too many signs of hard water. Since hard water has far more contaminants than other types, changing membranes more often is necessary. Otherwise, if the water is soft most of the time, many go up to seven years without membrane replacement.

Another thing to take note of is that the water storage tank needs draining every couple of weeks to prevent germ buildup.

Do You Need a Water Softener With Your Reverse Osmosis System in Columbus?

Because hard water is an issue in Columbus, it’s a good idea to consider using a water softener, aside from the RO system itself. The city softens its water to 120 parts per million (ppm), and yet, it still ends up with harder water than the national average.

They do this to avoid corrosion due to overly soft water flowing through plumbing fixtures. As a result, we recommend a water softener to keep the water hardness level in check. Too much hard water is even worse than having soft water and can potentially cause clogging issues over time.