Commercial reverse osmosis system for an office, cafe or small business

Reverse Osmosis Company is an independent referral service, not an installer or plumber. When you send the form, your details go to an independent local water treatment pro who can contact you and prepare a quote.

Start with what the water is for

The EPA’s WaterSense program describes reverse osmosis as pressure forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, making treated water (permeate) and reject water (concentrate or brine) that goes to the drain. The EPA says RO systems can potentially remove contaminants such as lead, volatile organic compounds, PFAS, arsenic, bacteria and viruses. A business should ask which of those it actually needs to deal with, and what else the water is for:

• Drinking water for staff or customers at a tap or a dispenser.
• Coffee, tea and drinks, where taste matters and equipment makers may have their own water requirements.
• Ice, from an ice machine fed by the system.
• Food preparation, at a prep sink or a specific appliance.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s advice for choosing water treatment applies to a business too: start by asking what contaminant you want to remove or reduce, then select a unit certified by NSF, Underwriter’s Laboratory or the Water Quality Association to remove it. If equipment such as an espresso machine or an ice machine is the reason, ask its maker what water it needs.

Read the water before sizing the system

On city water, the utility’s yearly water quality report is the first document to read. On a well, a test by a certified laboratory comes first. Results for total dissolved solids and chloride are worth a look: the EPA’s secondary guidelines, which it does not enforce, are 500 mg/L for total dissolved solids and 250 mg/L for chloride, which the EPA links to a salty taste. Expect a pro to ask about both the water and the demand, so have both to hand.

What to ask a commercial RO pro

Question	Why
Which contaminants is the system certified to reduce, and under which standard?	The EPA points to NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis systems. Check that the listing names what you need removed.
How much treated water will it make, and when?	Ask about your busiest hour as well as a whole day.
How much water goes to the drain?	The EPA’s point-of-use figures run from five gallons or more per gallon treated for a typical unit to 2.3 or less for WaterSense labeled units; ask for your system’s figure.
What upkeep does it need, and who does it?	Filters and membranes follow the maker’s schedule. Ask who services it and how.
Is a permit needed?	Many cities require a plumbing permit for a new RO drain connection. Ask who pulls it.
What is in the written quote?	The system, the connections, each fixture or machine fed, and the first service.

Leased space and landlords

If you lease your premises, ask the landlord before any plumbing work, and check your lease for who owns fixtures added to the space. Building management may have rules on who may work on the plumbing and when. Settle those before the quote, not after.

Upkeep you can plan for

A business system needs regular care too: pre-filters, the membrane and the post filter on the maker’s schedule, and a check for leaks at each visit. Put the dates in the calendar, keep the maker’s manual where staff can find it, and decide who in the business is responsible for booking service. See RO maintenance and RO repair.

What to send with your request

• The type of business and what the water is for.
• How many people or machines the system serves.
• City water or a well, and your water report or test.
• Whether you own or lease the space.

The contact page has room for notes. For a home system instead, see RO installation.

Questions people ask