Yes, this is another RO filtration post. I've read through lots of information (including Jim's water FAQ) and want a sanity check to see if what I plan to do makes sense. The espresso machine (which would be purchased after the RO system is installed) will be a QM Vetrano 2B or Alex Duetto 3.0 and will in the plumbed-in configuration.

I don't have a pH meter yet, but here is my current home setup:

Whole house water softener - feeds both the hot AND cold water throughout the entire house. I have tested 6 water samples, 4 with one company and 2 with another water guy. All results are basically 'soft' water. I don't have the alkalinity or hardness numbers, but they were the same tests that provided the dark blue that indicates soft water. For the record, making coffee with this water (in a FP) tastes terrible.

TDS - A water guy who was quoting me on an RO system did a test with his old-school meter, results were 600-650 ppm (yes, this is soft water). I used my calibrated digital TDS meter afterwards and today and the results are consistent at ~560ppm. On a side note, I'm going to be calling the water district next week, that's ridiculously high... thanks Las Vegas tap water! (For reference, I was on the other side of town yesterday and the tap water was a TDS of ~280ppm. This was at a commercial espresso equipment distributor and he said his tap water at that location varies between ~250-450ppm throughout the year.)

I always see reference to TDS over ~200-250ppm as indicating 'hard water'... well, it is logical (to me) that one can have soft water and a high TDS (>250ppm), since soft water is simply the removal of calcium and magnesium carbonate (simplified) from the water, there can still be plenty of other crap in there to keep the dissolved solid count high.

Assuming my tap water will be staying over 500 ppm (it just hurts to type that), I feel an RO system is a reasonable solution to bringing the water into a much cleaner state. Unfortunately, I won't be able to use the under-the-sink RO system to feed water to my fridge for ice and such, but I would use the RO tap in the sink for drinking, cooking, FP/drip, and then have a separate 3/8" line heading to the espresso machine when installed.

I understand the dangers of RO water for espresso. The Vetrano 2B and Duetto 3.0 both monitor how much water is in the boiler with conductivity, so I need some minerals in the water. I also understand the potential acidity issues with RO water. The idea of adding back minerals after filtering (Mary at Chris Coffee was giving me some options) sounds like a good solution. I'm not interested in spending additional money on bottled water or a 5-gal system. My priority is convenience and clean water, so I know I'm limiting my options.

This leads me to this potential system:

iSpring 6-stage RO Alkaline Mineral Water System
http://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-6- ... uctDetails

I was first debating on getting a 3-stage RO system, so it wouldn't filter my water "that good"... but once I found out how high the dissolved solid content in my water was, I think a good quality 5-stage TFC membrane RO system is a solid option. The 6th stage is an alkaline filter which is supposed to add some calcium and magnesium carbonate back into the water in addition to leveling out the pH closer to neutral. I couldn't find any technical data on the 6th stage alkaline filter, but here is something:

http://123filter.com/catalog/product_in ... ucts_id=91

There are plenty of post-mineral filters out there, but it seems convenient that this is all in one package. I also figure that my TDS is so crazy high that there is a good chance a normal 5-stage would get me down to around 50-100ppm instead of the 20-30ppm I'm seeing with other reviewers (is my logic completely BS here? I didn't interpolate but just approximated the reduction capabilities). But the alkaline filter would at least provide something back into the water so I would expect my machine's boiler to sense the conductivity of the mineral ions even if my TDS was reduced to 20ppm or lower. I can always add another small in-line mineral filter (like what Chris Coffee sells) if this setup isn't sufficient.

Any thoughts? Please, poke holes in my engineering logic

-Joe Fish

At it's basic, the only important part of an RO filter system is the RO filter itself, the rest of the filters are there for taste and sediment removal, sediment being bad for the actual RO element. The one on Amazonis probably a bit better than the average RO system because of the alkaline filter that's supposed to add back the proper minerals for taste. It sure seems like a decent choice and the price is quite reasonable. Claims to do the same thing as the one I have that lists for about $2000, other than mine is supposed to do 180 gallons/day or so and has the antibacterial UV light upgrade. Came for free with an espresso machine I bought.

http://spectrapure.com/COMMERCIAL/COM-D ... in-Filters

Ira

Ira, thanks for the sanity check and the link. The only bad thing I've heard about the UV lamps is that they are continually on, so when water isn't running through them they can get extremely hot. I don't know of any actual incidents but I figured it is an added stage that I probably don't need. The RO system you have is definitely much more commercial grade - it helps to compare to the consumer level items I've been looking at.

-Joe Fish

Just following up - installed the RO system. The tap water is still ~560ppm and the RO water is at ~30ppm....!!! That's with the 6th stage alkaline filter! I'm still thinking this will work for the boiler to keep track of the amount of water, but I'm shocked I was able to get such a huge reduction in ppm. I'd prefer it to sit around 100ppm but we'll see how the system performs when I start pulling water from the tank and not just from the filters.

Joe Fish

Reverse Osmosis set up recommendation( In my humble opinion )

First make sure filter housings, Membrane housings are free from BPA (http://www.qmpusa.com/hightpressureh.html )

and All fittings and tubings better are lead free ( http://www.johnguest.com/ )

Reverse Osmosis First state sediment filter
( http://harmsco.com/pdf/Cartridges/CL%20 ... ridges.pdf )

Second stage:( http://www.arieswater.com/products/catr ... px?rcid=13 )

Third:( http://www.pentairaqua.com/Files/Knowle ... t-mr14.pdf )

RO Membrane filter: DOW FILMTEC

Alkaline filter:( http://www.gamurdock.com/gam/out/BRANDS ... ilters.htm )

RO Tanks:( http://www.amtrol.com/revosmosis.html )

With all these top of the line products, Now you can enjoy your ultra safe and super clean water!

If you really want to remove Pathogenic bacteria: Cholera, Typhoid, Salmonella, Serratia, E. Coli, Fecal Coliform >99.99% removal, Please use this filter in your final stage:
( http://doultonfiltration.com/product/im ... ultracarb/ )