RO/DI and Boil Advisory

[SpyC]

Unsure where to put this. We had no water pressure yesterday afternoon which was resolved fairly quickly and I began making ro/di water. Later that evening we went under a boil advisory and they think it is related to the loss of water pressure. I’m unsure if I should toss the 30 gallons of water and make more once the advisory is over or if there is no need to take action. Also unsure if I need to clean the brute trashcans if dumping the water is the direction taken. What would you do? IMO water is cheap, but also don’t want to waste it.

 

[MnFish1]

Unsure where to put this. We had no water pressure yesterday afternoon which was resolved fairly quickly and I began making ro/di water. Later that evening we went under a boil advisory and they think it is related to the loss of water pressure. I’m unsure if I should toss the 30 gallons of water and make more once the advisory is over or if there is no need to take action. Also unsure if I need to clean the brute trashcans if dumping the water is the direction taken. What would you do? IMO water is cheap, but also don’t want to waste it.

I do not think this would/should be a problem. Per se. There are plenty of bacteria in your tank (i.e. it's not sterile) - and there is a big difference between drinking water standards, and the standards that would be used for a fish tank. I do not think you need to sterilize the Brute cans. RO itself removes many bacteria and viruses. If it was just DI - that may be a (slightly) larger problem. If you really want to get a clear answer - I would call your water plant and ask. Here is a comment from the CDC:

"

Reverse Osmosis Systems​

• Reverse Osmosis Systems use a process that reverses the flow of water in a natural process of osmosis so that water passes from a more concentrated solution to a more dilute solution through a semi-permeable membrane. Pre- and post-filters are often incorporated along with the reverse osmosis membrane itself.
• A reverse osmosis filter has a pore size of approximately 0.0001 micron.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing protozoa (for example, Cryptosporidium, Giardia);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing bacteria (for example, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing viruses (for example, Enteric, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems will remove common chemical contaminants (metal ions, aqueous salts), including sodium, chloride, copper, chromium, and lead; may reduce arsenic, fluoride, radium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nitrate, and phosphorous."

Here is an article that explains some of the issues during a boiling alert: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/bl...nd-cant-do-while-under-a-boil-water-advisory/

 

[SpyC]

My water plant is useless. The people answering calls didn’t even know there was an issue until they saw it on facebook lol. I appreciate the information and perspective. Thank you for confirming my findings and thought process.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, bacteria cannot get through an ro membrane. They may grow on either side, but cannot pass through, so there is no concern about bacteria in the water supply.

 

[DJF]

Resurrecting this thread to ask some follow ups- I’m in a boil water predicament and am wondering post the boil mandate if I should replace the membranes and/or the carbon, sediment blocks? Question is for both drinking RO system and RODI tank system.

 

[Liz Pienkoski]

I do not think this would/should be a problem. Per se. There are plenty of bacteria in your tank (i.e. it's not sterile) - and there is a big difference between drinking water standards, and the standards that would be used for a fish tank. I do not think you need to sterilize the Brute cans. RO itself removes many bacteria and viruses. If it was just DI - that may be a (slightly) larger problem. If you really want to get a clear answer - I would call your water plant and ask. Here is a comment from the CDC:

"

Reverse Osmosis Systems​

• Reverse Osmosis Systems use a process that reverses the flow of water in a natural process of osmosis so that water passes from a more concentrated solution to a more dilute solution through a semi-permeable membrane. Pre- and post-filters are often incorporated along with the reverse osmosis membrane itself.
• A reverse osmosis filter has a pore size of approximately 0.0001 micron.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing protozoa (for example, Cryptosporidium, Giardia);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing bacteria (for example, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing viruses (for example, Enteric, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus);
• Reverse Osmosis Systems will remove common chemical contaminants (metal ions, aqueous salts), including sodium, chloride, copper, chromium, and lead; may reduce arsenic, fluoride, radium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nitrate, and phosphorous."

Here is an article that explains some of the issues during a boiling alert: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/bl...nd-cant-do-while-under-a-boil-water-advisory/

Found this thread since the rural area I’m moving to has recurring boil advisories while staggered water line repairs occur. It looks like my 6 Stage RODI may be sufficient to filter water for my mixed reef during these periods?