Back to the original question, there is a rationale for the order:
1) Sediment filter is cheapest and prevents everything downstream from getting clogged up / lower pressure.
2) Carbon block removes chlorine and chloramines which can harm RO membranes
3) RO membrane strips almost everything left out
4) DI resin is most expensive per amount of dissolved material removed, so we put it last to focus on removing the tiny amount of whatever is left over
If you are ever in a crisis and need water right away, bypass the RO step. It’ll expend your DI resin but most chlorine / chloramine and other immediately toxic components will be removed.
1) Sediment filter is cheapest and prevents everything downstream from getting clogged up / lower pressure.
2) Carbon block removes chlorine and chloramines which can harm RO membranes
3) RO membrane strips almost everything left out
4) DI resin is most expensive per amount of dissolved material removed, so we put it last to focus on removing the tiny amount of whatever is left over
If you are ever in a crisis and need water right away, bypass the RO step. It’ll expend your DI resin but most chlorine / chloramine and other immediately toxic components will be removed.
