[bobyman]

I've had a GE RO filter for sometime. The first membrane lasted a long time (several years). Then I had some work done on my well, and from then on the membranes would apparently clog up after about five months. I have a softener on the system and that's working well, but I suspect particulate matter is the culprit, although nothing seems obvious. If it is particulate matter, how do I confirm it? If particulates are the problem, will a particulate pre-filter fix the problem?

I do dump bleach in the well from time to time because of a Hydrogen Sulfide problem which the bleach fixes. Sometimes, in the summer, I put bleach in the well every two weeks when things get bad.

Any suggestions about lengthening my membrane life?

Thanks.

[Andy CWS]

If you still have the old membranes, slice one length-wise with a very sharp, hard knife and spread the layers open. You can see what it was that clogged them up.

When wells are chlorinated, ROs (and other water equipment) must be by-passed as a lot of junk is produced and left on by-pass until all has passed. Membrane water must be pretreated including insoluable dissovled solids.

Membranes should last for years, not months. What is you incoming water pressure? What is the TDS of influent water?

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Andy CWS]

Thank you moderators.

[Gary Slusser]

Constantly shocking a well is a really bad idea. It can make the problem you are trying to solve worse and cause expensive problems like poor water quality or problems with the well, pump, drop pipe and power cable to a submersible pump.