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  • Question on ro system...

    We have the Kinectico RO Deluxe VX system. I have two concerns. First, I stumbled upon a CA lawsuit regarding activated carbon filters leeching arsenic into drinking water. According to some of the articles I've since read, the water industry has known for some time about this. Really?? The second concern--the storage tanks on these ro systems. What are they made of? I'm assuming polypropylene (sp?). With all the concern about plastic food and water containers, I have to wonder if anything nasty is leeching into our drinking water.

    Now I'm wondering--all this time thinking the ro water is healthy, and maybe not so much.
    Last edited by karch1; 11-09-2009, 10:34 PM.

  • #2
    Yes, there has been some concern with certain national brand filters showing a release of arsenic inot to the drinking water supply.

    The had been a suit in California to highlight these issues:
    Named defendants in the suit, filed in Marin County, were Multipure International; Omnipure Filter Co., Inc.; PUR Water Purification Products, Inc.; and The Proctor & Gamble Co.

    P&G makes the PUR brand and other pitcher-type filters. I don't know which units are involved in the suit but these are found in department stores and very popular with homeowners.

    The Kinetico unit that you have uses a VOC (volatile organic compound-VX) final filter. There have been no reports that I am aware of of this unit leaching aresenic or any other harmful substance.

    The newer K5 unit actually has a special arsenic filter that can be added to the unit.

    Great care has been taken to assure that any water coming into contact with rubber or plastic parts does not attract substances into the water production. I suppose your tank is white and not black, correct?

    Andy Christensen, CWS-II

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    • #3
      ro system...

      Hi Andy,

      Thank you for responding...

      Our tank is black. I believe the system was installed in 2006. Does that matter, as compared to the white tank? Also, we don't have the newer ro system (K5 was it?). Are you suggesting that we need to upgrade in order to remove any arsenic or other contaminants that may inadvertently be leeching from a post-carbon filter? If I understand correctly, the new system has the capability of adding whatever filters/cartridges you may need, depending on your individual water. I would just hate to think we need to upgrade from what was an already expensive, 'top-of-the-line' system, in order to 'filter' our 'filtered' water. Make sense?

      By the way, thanks, again, for responding. I have enjoyed reading your responses to others in the past. May I ask--are you a Kinectico CWS?

      Kelly

      Comment


      • #4
        Kinetico Response...

        I did receive a response from Kinetco (headquarters) when I emailed inquiring about the post carbon filters and the arsenic issue, as well as the plastic storage tanks. They seem to want you to deal with your local rep., so the reply was pretty standard: Kinetico products are tested and certified by either NSF International or WQA, and how performance can be 'altered by variables, such as pressure, temp., levels of material in the water supply...' They also attached performance data sheets on my ro system that I already have, and stated that materials in the water supply and levels rejected are determined by a lab analysis, and to see my local dealer.

        I responded that I wasn't really concerned about what the system rejected...I'm concerned about what may be added from the ro system itself. I was hoping they could give me more information about their carbon filters. And, as far as the NSF and WQA certification, I'm sure this does mean the customer's purchase is tested and meets certain standards. But, based on what I've been reading about this issue, it appears that as long as any carbon filters leeching arsenic (or any other contaminant) do so under a certain 'acceptable' limit, it's ok. Well, it's not ok, or acceptable.

        Comment


        • #5
          Kinetico HQ doesn't often respond to individual customers as there would be untold numbers of people calling and a staff would be needed to field such questions which often result in confusing details and one-sided complaints. So most are told to deal with the local dealer. I know it's not the best solution.

          As I tried to mention before, no known arsenic contaminants are emitted from Kinetico carbon filters. This canbe a concern but I have never heard of this being a problem from Kinetico products. I will keep my ear to the rail.

          You mentioned 'based on what (you) were reading..." but you haven't given reference. Can you provide a link to those details and why/how you believe your Kinetico RO is causing a problem? I have done a search and can find no indication.

          CWS stands for Certified Water Specialist and that is through the Water Quality Association (WQA), not Kinetico.



          Andy Christensen

          Comment


          • #6
            ro concern...

            Hi Andy,

            Thanks, again, for responding. I believe one of the sites where I read about the carbon-arsenic issue was watertechonline.com. I'd have to search again to find all the sites. However, all I did was google carbon filters leeching arsenic, and I was able to find information. I can check again.

            You didn't mention if there was a difference with the storage tank colors. Just wondering. I think what worries me are the unknowns. I know RO systems have their detractors, but mostly they're touted as a good filtration system. Some advertisers, though, say as good as bottled water, and we all know that that isn't always quality.

            So, guess it's back to the two concerns--the carbon filter, and the plastic tank or other components. Hopefully, just worried for nothing. The whole plastic issue is in the news every time you turn around.

            Anyway, thank you for all your help on this--appreciate it!!

            Kelly

            Comment


            • #7
              You're welcome. The white and black tanks work very differnetly. The white tank is a industry standard using a static air charge and the black tank uses your household water pressure to drive water to the faucet. Much higher pressure, faster flow and larger volume and faster refill.

              The water comes into very little contact with 'plastic' psrts as it is most contained in a rubber bladder in the tank.

              A good RO will produce water 'better' than BW. No one should depend on BW as a daily function. Buy a bottle once in a while when travelng or when the NEED requires. Bit to use it for you basic need is nuts and wasteful as well as extremely polluting with over 70,000,000 bottle per day being discarded. NUTS!

              Andy Christensen, CWS-II

              Comment


              • #8
                ro concern...

                Agreed. Way too many plastic bottles out there. Well, if you do find out anything further on the carbon filter/arsenic issue, please let me know. Hopefully, the filters Kinetico uses are thoroughly tested. I would imagine they are aware of any issues out there.

                Thanks for all your help!

                Kelly

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