View our new Reverse Osmosis Installation Guide, with step by step animations.
View our animated Reverse Osmosis exploded diagram.
Your Reverse Osmosis (RO) System has been tested to ensure it will operate correctly. The following periodic maintenance is recommended so your system will provide years of trouble-free service:
The following components make up your reverse osmosis system:
The following tools may be necessary, depending on each particular installation:
Your RO system may be installed under a sink or in a basement. Do not install unit where it would be exposed to freezing temperatures. Connecting to an icemaker or other remote location can also be considered if a connection can be made without using more than 12" of tubing, otherwise a delivery pump may be needed. Farther runs can be attempted and a pump can be added later only if needed.
Guidelines for component placement are as follows:
Faucet should be placed on, or near the sink where drinking/cooking water is normally required. A 2" flat surface is required to mount faucet if an existing hole is not available. The thickness of the mounting surface should not exceed 1-1/4" or a faucet extension (not supplied) will be needed.
Bladder Tank maybe placed where it is convenient, within ten feet of the faucet. Under the sink or in a nearby cabinet or in basement rafters are excellent choices. Full tanks can weigh more than thirty pounds; so make sure any shelving used is secure. Bladder tank can be placed on its side or upright.
RO Unit may be mounted on either side of the sink, in the back of a cabinet, or in the basement. Mounting the unit on the left or the right side of the cabinet under the sink provides for easier access to the unit for future maintenance.
A Self Piercing Valve is used to supply a feed water connection to the RO unit. Locate this assembly as close to the RO unit as possible. Connect to a potable, cold water supply line only. A self-piercing valve can be used on copper or chrome plated copper tubing, CPVC, & flexible gray riser tubes at least 3/8" in size. It should not be used on ribbed, corrugated, reinforced plastic or steel braided tubing. Ask your local dealer which alternatives can be used in place of the self-piercing valve if one cannot be installed under your sink.
A Drain Saddle is used to make a waste water connection with your drain under the sink. This is designed to fit around a standard 1-1/2" OD drainpipe. The drain saddle valve should always be installed before (above) the p-trap and on the vertical or horizontal tailpiece. Do not install the drain saddle near a garbage disposal to avoid clogging the drain line with debris.
Open shipping carton, remove components and check that all parts are present.
All plumbing must be completed in accordance with state and local plumbing codes. Some municipalities may require installation by a liscensed plumber. Check your local plumbing codes for more information.
If the sink has a sprayer, it may be disconnected for faucet installation. A pipe cap or plug will be necessary to seal the sprayer connection or sprayer can be left connected under the sink.
To make the faucet-mounting hole (if sprayer hole or other existing hole is not used), check below to make sure the drill will not interfere with anything below. A 2" flat surface is required, not exceeding 1-1/4" thickness.
The faucet should be positioned so it empties into the sink and the spout swivels freely for convenience. If the sink has a hole that can accommodate the RO faucet, no drilling is required. Proceed with mounting the faucet.
Installation procedures for Porcelain, Enamel, Ceramic on Metal, or Cast Iron:
Precautions must be taken to penetrate the porcelain through to the metal base and prevent chipping or scratching.
Procedures:
Installation procedures for stainless steel sinks
Procedures:
Note: Air Gap Faucets are required by some municipalities. These faucets require a 1-1/4" hole in the sink rather than the 1/2" hole required by the standard faucet included with the RO system. To make a 1 1/4" hole to accommodate an air gap faucet requires special tools such as a chassis punch (stainless steel) or a Relton cutter (porcelain) if a large enough hole is not already available.Ask your local dealer for more information.
Disassemble hardware from the treaded shank. Chrome base plates and rubber washers slide up the shank to the faucet body.
Feed threaded shank through the sink hole and orient the faucet. From below sink, slide lock washer and hex nut over threaded shank and tighten with a wrench.
Note: It is best to have someone hold the faucet from above the sink to keep it from moving out of place. If this is not possible then tighten the hex nut until it is just slightly less than completely tight. Then turn the faucet base from above the sink, tightening it while orienting the faucet in the desired location.
3. SELF PIERCING VALVE AND TUBING INSTALLATION
The self-piercing valve, which is supplied, is designed for use with 3/8" to 1/2" OD copper or chrome plated copper tubing, CPVC, & flexible gray riser tubes at least 3/8" in size. It should not be used on ribbed, corrugated, reinforced plastic or steel braided tubing. Ask your local dealer what alternatives can be used in place of the self-piercing valve if one cannot be used under your sink.
Installation procedures using copper tubing/pipe or tubing, CPVC, and gray flexible riser tubes: (See Figure 2)
Saddle valve installations with other metal pipe:
4. DRAIN SADDLE VALVE INSTALLATION
(see Figure 3)
A Drain Saddle is used to make a wastewater connection with the drain under the sink, which is designed to fit around a standard 1-1/2" OD drainpipe. The drain saddle valve should always be installed before (above) the p-trap and on a vertical or horizontal drain. Do not install the drain saddle near a garbage disposal to avoid clogging the drain line with debris.
Procedures
For convenience on under sink installations it may be advisable to complete under sink tubing connections at this time.
Install RO membrane O-ring end first, carbon prefilter(s) and sediment pre filter in vertical mounted housings. Be sure RO Membrane is pushed into Membrane housing as far as it will go. It is recommended that filters and membranes be handled with clean or gloved hands.
The RO unit is normally mounted to the right or left sink cabinet sidewall, depending on where supply tank is to be located. Generally the unit is installed at the front of the cabinet and the tank at the rear.
To mount the unit, elevate it at least 2" off the floor, level it and mark the location of mounting holes needed. Drill hole for mounting screws and install screws allowing the mounting bracket slots to slip over them.
Note: If the cabinet sidewalls are not solid, unit may sit on the floor with screws used just to keep it against the cabinet in a vertical position.
8. PRE-FILL, SANITIZING AND SUPPLY TANK PLACEMENT
Pre-filling the storage tank is always recommended so there is sufficient pressure to check for leaks and sufficient water to flush the carbon post filter. To do this connect the feed line that will serve the RO unit and connect it directly to the bladder tank. Allow the water to fill the bladder until it stops. Then close to tank valve and let this stand for 15 minutes. Remove the tube and connect to inlet fitting of the RO unit.
The supply tank should be placed under the counter or within 10 feet of the RO unit.
Note: Tanks are pre-pressurized with air at 7 psi.
With all components in place, complete final tubing connections with these guidelines:
The RO unit can be connected to any standard refrigerator icemaker or ice maker/water dispenser.
! Do not connect to a commercial type bar icemaker !
To complete this operation, connect a T with a shut off valve into the faucet tubing and route tubing to the refrigerator. (Hooking up to existing copper tubing is not recommended due to possible corrosion) Turn off icemaker inside freezer prior to turning off the existing tap water supply line to the refrigerator. Turn on the icemaker after the RO system has been drained several times and the tank has a full supply of water.
Icemaker lines are often run in the rafters of unfinished basements or finished basements with drop ceilings and then up to the fridge. If the basement has a hard ceiling, this won’t be an option and the line would have to be run through cabinets. In cases where a basement or cabinets connecting sink and fridge are not available, icemaker connections cannot be made.
Note: Before any service is performed on the RO system, turn off icemaker valve and icemaker unit. Turn back on only after RO system has been sanitized and flushed out.
Prior to start-up
Flip the faucet lever up and this will keep faucet on. Do this and allow tank to completely drain of all water.
! Do not use this water !
! Do not use this water !
Each year the filters in the system should be replaced. Usually the membrane can be replaced every other year, but the prefilters and post-filter should be changed annually and in some cases more often.
Filter Replacement
Membrane Replacement
Note: When installing a new membrane be sure to push the membrane into the housing as far as it will go. Each time the filters are replaced it is recommended that the system be sanitized.
Sanitizing the System
After all filters are removed from the system, housings have been cleaned, tank is empty, and faucet is open...
RO Systems are highly sensitive to pressure and temperature. RO Membranes always perform better under higher pressures. They produce more water, faster, and of better quality with high pressure. The vast majority of problems with RO Systems are a result of low pressure. The effects of low pressure include water constantly running to the drain, slow water production and low water volume available in storage tank. In these cases where low pressure exists, a booster pump will be required.
On the following page is a table showing RO Membrane performance over a range of temperatures and pressures. Membranes are tested at 65 psi of pressure and temperature of 77 degrees. For each incremental change in either variable, membrane performance changes accordingly. Higher pressures increase production and vice versa.
To troubleshoot a poor performing RO System an accurate measure of the pressure and temperature of water will be required. This will require a pressure gauge to determine exactly what the water pressure is that is feeding the membrane. Descriptions of water pressure such as good, high or strong, unfortunately, are no help in diagnosing an RO System.

Pressure Temperature Chart | ||||||||||||||||
Temp °F |
35 PSI |
40 PSI |
45 PSI |
50 PSI |
55 PSI |
60 PSI |
65 PSI |
70 PSI |
75 PSI |
80 PSI |
85 PSI |
90 PSI |
95 PSI |
100 PSI |
105 PSI |
110 PSI |
45° |
0.2321 | 0.2653 | 0.2985 | 0.3316 | 0.3648 | 0.3979 | 0.4311 | 0.4643 | 0.4974 | 0.5306 | 0.5638 | 0.5969 | 0.6301 | 0.6632 | 0.6964 |
0.7296 |
46° |
0.2417 | 0.2762 | 0.3108 | 0.3453 | 0.3798 | 0.4144 | 0.4489 | 0.4834 | 0.5179 | 0.5525 | 0.5870 | 0.6215 | 0.6561 | 0.6906 | 0.7251 |
0.7597 |
47° |
0.2513 | 0.2872 | 0.3231 | 0.3590 | 0.3949 | 0.4308 | 0.4667 | 0.5026 | 0.5385 | 0.5744 | 0.6103 | 0.6462 | 0.6821 | 0.7179 | 0.7538 |
0.7897 |
48° |
0.2609 | 0.2981 | 0.3354 | 0.3726 | 0.4099 | 0.4472 | 0.4844 | 0.5217 | 0.5590 | 0.5962 | 0.6335 | 0.6708 | 0.7080 | 0.7453 | 0.7826 |
0.8198 |
49° |
0.2704 | 0.3091 | 0.3477 | 0.3863 | 0.4250 | 0.4636 | 0.5022 | 0.5409 | 0.5795 | 0.6181 | 0.6568 | 0.6954 | 0.7340 | 0.7726 | 0.8113 |
0.8499 |
50° |
0.2800 | 0.3200 | 0.3600 | 0.4000 | 0.4400 | 0.4800 | 0.5200 | 0.5600 | 0.6000 | 0.6400 | 0.6800 | 0.7200 | 0.7600 | 0.8000 | 0.8400 |
0.8800 |
51° |
0.2896 | 0.3309 | 0.3723 | 0.4137 | 0.4550 | 0.4964 | 0.5378 | 0.5791 | 0.6205 | 0.6619 | 0.7032 | 0.7446 | 0.7860 | 0.8274 | 0.8687 |
0.9101 |
52° |
0.2991 | 0.3419 | 0.3846 | 0.4274 | 0.4701 | 0.5128 | 0.5556 | 0.5983 | 0.6410 | 0.6838 | 0.7265 | 0.7692 | 0.8120 | 0.8547 | 0.8974 |
0.9402 |
53° |
0.3087 | 0.3528 | 0.3969 | 0.4410 | 0.4851 | 0.5292 | 0.5733 | 0.6174 | 0.6615 | 0.7056 | 0.7497 | 0.7938 | 0.8379 | 0.8821 | 0.9262 |
0.9703 |
54° |
0.3183 | 0.3638 | 0.4092 | 0.4547 | 0.5002 | 0.5456 | 0.5911 | 0.6366 | 0.6821 | 0.7275 | 0.7730 | 0.8185 | 0.8639 | 0.9094 | 0.9549 |
1.0003 |
55° |
0.3279 | 0.3747 | 0.4215 | 0.4684 | 0.5152 | 0.5621 | 0.6089 | 0.6557 | 0.7026 | 0.7494 | 0.7962 | 0.8431 | 0.8899 | 0.9368 | 0.9836 |
1.0304 |
56° |
0.3374 | 0.3856 | 0.4338 | 0.4821 | 0.5303 | 0.5785 | 0.6267 | 0.6749 | 0.7231 | 0.7713 | 0.8195 | 0.8677 | 0.9159 | 0.9641 | 1.0123 |
1.0605 |
57° |
0.3470 | 0.3966 | 0.4462 | 0.4957 | 0.5453 | 0.5949 | 0.6444 | 0.6940 | 0.7436 | 0.7932 | 0.8427 | 0.8923 | 0.9419 | 0.9915 | 1.0410 |
1.0906 |
58° |
0.3566 | 0.4075 | 0.4585 | 0.5094 | 0.5603 | 0.6113 | 0.6622 | 0.7132 | 0.7641 | 0.8150 | 0.8660 | 0.9169 | 0.9679 | 1.0188 | 1.0697 |
1.1207 |
59° |
0.3662 | 0.4185 | 0.4708 | 0.5231 | 0.5754 | 0.6277 | 0.6800 | 0.7323 | 0.7846 | 0.8369 | 0.8892 | 0.9415 | 0.9938 | 1.0462 | 1.0985 |
1.1508 |
60° |
0.3757 | 0.4294 | 0.4831 | 0.5368 | 0.5904 | 0.6441 | 0.6978 | 0.7515 | 0.8051 | 0.8588 | 0.9125 | 0.9662 | 1.0198 | 1.0735 | 1.1272 |
1.1809 |
61° |
0.3853 | 0.4403 | 0.4954 | 0.5504 | 0.6055 | 0.6605 | 0.7156 | 0.7706 | 0.8256 | 0.8807 | 0.9357 | 0.9908 | 1.0458 | 1.1009 | 1.1559 |
1.2109 |
62° |
0.3949 | 0.4513 | 0.5077 | 0.5641 | 0.6205 | 0.6769 | 0.7333 | 0.7897 | 0.8462 | 0.9026 | 0.9590 | 1.0154 | 1.0718 | 1.1282 | 1.1846 |
1.2410 |
63° |
0.4044 | 0.4622 | 0.5200 | 0.5778 | 0.6356 | 0.6933 | 0.7511 | 0.8089 | 0.8667 | 0.9244 | 0.9822 | 1.0400 | 1.0978 | 1.1556 | 1.2133 |
1.2711 |
64° |
0.4140 | 0.4732 | 0.5323 | 0.5915 | 0.6506 | 0.7097 | 0.7689 | 0.8280 | 0.8872 | 0.9463 | 1.0055 | 1.0646 | 1.1238 | 1.1829 | 1.2421 |
1.3012 |
65° |
0.4236 | 0.4841 | 0.5446 | 0.6051 | 0.6656 | 0.7262 | 0.7867 | 0.8472 | 0.9077 | 0.9682 | 1.0287 | 1.0892 | 1.1497 | 1.2103 | 1.2708 |
1.3313 |
66° |
0.4332 | 0.4950 | 0.5569 | 0.6188 | 0.6807 | 0.7426 | 0.8044 | 0.8663 | 0.9282 | 0.9901 | 1.0520 | 1.1138 | 1.1757 | 1.2376 | 1.2995 |
1.3614 |
67° |
0.4427 | 0.5060 | 0.5692 | 0.6325 | 0.6957 | 0.7590 | 0.8222 | 0.8855 | 0.9487 | 1.0120 | 1.0752 | 1.1385 | 1.2017 | 1.2650 | 1.3282 |
1.3915 |
68° |
0.4523 | 0.5169 | 0.5815 | 0.6462 | 0.7108 | 0.7754 | 0.8400 | 0.9046 | 0.9692 | 1.0338 | 1.0985 | 1.1631 | 1.2277 | 1.2923 | 1.3569 |
1.4215 |
69° |
0.4619 | 0.5279 | 0.5938 | 0.6598 | 0.7258 | 0.7918 | 0.8578 | 0.9238 | 0.9897 | 1.0557 | 1.1217 | 1.1877 | 1.2537 | 1.3197 | 1.3856 |
1.4516 |
70° |
0.4715 | 0.5388 | 0.6062 | 0.6735 | 0.7409 | 0.8082 | 0.8756 | 0.9429 | 1.0103 | 1.0776 | 1.1450 | 1.2123 | 1.2797 | 1.3470 | 1.4144 |
1.4817 |
71° |
0.4810 | 0.5497 | 0.6185 | 0.6872 | 0.7559 | 0.8246 | 0.8933 | 0.9621 | 1.0308 | 1.0995 | 1.1682 | 1.2369 | 1.3056 | 1.3744 | 1.4431 |
1.5118 |
72° |
0.4906 | 0.5607 | 0.6308 | 0.7009 | 0.7709 | 0.8410 | 0.9111 | 0.9812 | 1.0513 | 1.1214 | 1.1915 | 1.2615 | 1.3316 | 1.4017 | 1.4718 |
1.5419 |
73° |
0.5002 | 0.5716 | 0.6431 | 0.7145 | 0.7860 | 0.8574 | 0.9289 | 1.0003 | 1.0718 | 1.1432 | 1.2147 | 1.2862 | 1.3576 | 1.4291 | 1.5005 |
1.5720 |
74° |
0.5097 | 0.5826 | 0.6554 | 0.7282 | 0.8010 | 0.8738 | 0.9467 | 1.0195 | 1.0923 | 1.1651 | 1.2379 | 1.3108 | 1.3836 | 1.4564 | 1.5292 |
1.6021 |
75° |
0.5193 | 0.5935 | 0.6677 | 0.7419 | 0.8161 | 0.8903 | 0.9644 | 1.0386 | 1.1128 | 1.1870 | 1.2612 | 1.3354 | 1.4096 | 1.4838 | 1.5579 |
1.6321 |
76° |
0.5289 | 0.6044 | 0.6800 | 0.7556 | 0.8311 | 0.9067 | 0.9822 | 1.0578 | 1.1333 | 1.2089 | 1.2844 | 1.3600 | 1.4356 | 1.5111 | 1.5867 |
1.6622 |
77° |
0.5385 | 0.6154 | 0.6923 | 0.7692 | 0.8462 | 0.9231 | 1.0000 | 1.0769 | 1.1538 | 1.2308 | 1.3077 | 1.3846 | 1.4615 | 1.5385 | 1.6154 |
1.6923 |
78° |
0.5480 | 0.6263 | 0.7046 | 0.7829 | 0.8612 | 0.9395 | 1.0178 | 1.0961 | 1.1744 | 1.2526 | 1.3309 | 1.4092 | 1.4875 | 1.5658 | 1.6441 |
1.7224 |
79° |
0.5576 | 0.6373 | 0.7169 | 0.7966 | 0.8762 | 0.9559 | 1.0356 | 1.1152 | 1.1949 | 1.2745 | 1.3542 | 1.4338 | 1.5135 | 1.5932 | 1.6728 |
1.7525 |
80° |
0.5672 | 0.6482 | 0.7292 | 0.8103 | 0.8913 | 0.9723 | 1.0533 | 1.1344 | 1.2154 | 1.2964 | 1.3774 | 1.4585 | 1.5395 | 1.6205 | 1.7015 |
1.7826 |
81° |
0.5768 | 0.6591 | 0.7415 | 0.8239 | 0.9063 | 0.9887 | 1.0711 | 1.1535 | 1.2359 | 1.3183 | 1.4007 | 1.4831 | 1.5655 | 1.6479 | 1.7303 |
1.8126 |
82° |
0.5863 | 0.6701 | 0.7538 | 0.8376 | 0.9214 | 1.0051 | 1.0889 | 1.1726 | 1.2564 | 1.3402 | 1.4239 | 1.5077 | 1.5915 | 1.6752 | 1.7590 |
1.8427 |
83° |
0.5959 | 0.6810 | 0.7662 | 0.8513 | 0.9364 | 1.0215 | 1.1067 | 1.1918 | 1.2769 | 1.3621 | 1.4472 | 1.5323 | 1.6174 | 1.7026 | 1.7877 |
1.8728 |
84° |
0.6055 | 0.6920 | 0.7785 | 0.8650 | 0.9515 | 1.0379 | 1.1244 | 1.2109 | 1.2974 | 1.3839 | 1.4704 | 1.5569 | 1.6434 | 1.7299 | 1.8164 |
1.9029 |
85° |
0.6150 | 0.7029 | 0.7908 | 0.8786 | 0.9665 | 1.0544 | 1.1422 | 1.2301 | 1.3179 | 1.4058 | 1.4937 | 1.5815 | 1.6694 | 1.7573 | 1.8451 |
1.9330 |
86° |
0.6246 | 0.7138 | 0.8031 | 0.8923 | 0.9815 | 1.0708 | 1.1600 | 1.2492 | 1.3385 | 1.4277 | 1.5169 | 1.6062 | 1.6954 | 1.7846 | 1.8738 |
1.9631 |
87° |
0.6342 | 0.7248 | 0.8154 | 0.9060 | 0.9966 | 1.0872 | 1.1778 | 1.2684 | 1.3590 | 1.4496 | 1.5402 | 1.6308 | 1.7214 | 1.8120 | 1.9026 |
1.9932 |
88° |
0.6438 | 0.7357 | 0.8277 | 0.9197 | 1.0116 | 1.1036 | 1.1956 | 1.2875 | 1.3795 | 1.4715 | 1.5634 | 1.6554 | 1.7474 | 1.8393 | 1.9313 |
2.0232 |
89° |
0.6533 | 0.7467 | 0.8400 | 0.9333 | 1.0267 | 1.1200 | 1.2133 | 1.3067 | 1.4000 | 1.4933 | 1.5867 | 1.6800 | 1.7733 | 1.8667 | 1.9600 |
2.0533 |
90° |
0.6629 | 0.7576 | 0.8523 | 0.9470 | 1.0417 | 1.1364 | 1.2311 | 1.3258 | 1.4205 | 1.5152 | 1.6099 | 1.7046 | 1.7993 | 1.8940 | 1.9887 |
2.0834 |
91° |
0.6725 | 0.7685 | 0.8646 | 0.9607 | 1.0568 | 1.1528 | 1.2489 | 1.3450 | 1.4410 | 1.5371 | 1.6332 | 1.7292 | 1.8253 | 1.9214 | 2.0174 |
2.1135 |
92° |
0.6821 | 0.7795 | 0.8769 | 0.9744 | 1.0718 | 1.1692 | 1.2667 | 1.3641 | 1.4615 | 1.5590 | 1.6564 | 1.7538 | 1.8513 | 1.9487 | 2.0462 |
2.1436 |
93° |
0.6916 | 0.7904 | 0.8892 | 0.9880 | 1.0868 | 1.1856 | 1.2844 | 1.3832 | 1.4821 | 1.5809 | 1.6797 | 1.7785 | 1.8773 | 1.9761 | 2.0749 |
2.1737 |
94° |
0.7012 | 0.8014 | 0.9015 | 1.0017 | 1.1019 | 1.2021 | 1.3022 | 1.4024 | 1.5026 | 1.6027 | 1.7029 | 1.8031 | 1.9032 | 2.0034 | 2.1036 |
2.2038 |
95° |
0.7108 | 0.8123 | 0.9138 | 1.0154 | 1.1169 | 1.2185 | 1.3200 | 1.4215 | 1.5231 | 1.6246 | 1.7262 | 1.8277 | 1.9292 | 2.0308 | 2.1323 |
2.2338 |
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