Reverse-osmosis Drinking
Reverse-osmosis Drinking | Water Purification | Plumbing | Jefferson City
Enjoy crystal-clear, great-tasting water straight from your tap with HEP’s reverse-osmosis drinking plumbing in Jefferson City. Our multi-stage membranes remove up to 99% of dissolved solids, chlorine, lead, and other contaminants that slip past ordinary filters, giving every sip a refreshing purity you can taste. Because the compact system installs neatly under your sink, you reclaim valuable fridge space once dedicated to bottled water while cutting plastic waste and weekly grocery bills at the same time.
From friendly, on-time technicians to rock-solid warranties, we make premium water purification effortless for busy Mid-Missourians. Call today, and we’ll test your home’s supply, design a custom solution, and have you toasting cleaner water—plus fewer service headaches—in just one visit. Better health, better flavor, better peace of mind: it all starts with a simple HEP install.
FAQs
How does a reverse-osmosis (RO) drinking-water system work, and why is it well suited to Jefferson City?
An RO system forces household water through several pre-filters and then a semi-permeable membrane that screens out dissolved solids on a molecular level. The purified water is stored in a small pressure tank and delivered to a dedicated faucet (and, if you choose, your icemaker or refrigerator). Jefferson City’s municipal supply is drawn chiefly from the Missouri River and local wells. While the water meets federal standards, it is classified as moderately hard and is treated with chlorine and corrosion-control additives. RO removes hardness minerals, chlorine by-products, trace pharmaceuticals, and seasonal agricultural run-off—making it a particularly effective final polishing step for our area’s tap water.
What specific contaminants will an RO unit remove from my Jefferson City tap water?
Independent lab tests show that a properly maintained RO system can reduce: • Dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium) that create hardness scale • Chlorine and chloramine taste/odor • Lead, copper, and other heavy metals that may leach from older service lines • Nitrates, nitrites, and trace pesticides associated with nearby agricultural activity • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and many PFAS compounds • Micro-organisms larger than 0.0001 micron, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts For homeowners with specific water-quality concerns, we can collect a sample and provide before-and-after lab results so you know exactly what is being removed.
Where is the RO system installed, and will it change my existing plumbing configuration?
Most residential RO systems fit neatly under the kitchen sink. The installer tees into the cold-water line with a compact feed valve, mounts the pre-filters and membrane cartridge on the cabinet wall, and places the 3–4 gallon storage tank on the floor of the cabinet. A ⅜-inch line delivers purified water to a dedicated faucet that is usually added next to your main kitchen faucet; if counter space is tight, we can route the line to a refrigerator or existing soap-dispenser hole. The only plumbing modification outside the sink base is a small saddle valve that sends the brine (rejected water) to your drainpipe. All work complies with the current Jefferson City Building & Inspection Code, and we pull any permits that may be required when tying into copper or PEX lines.
How often do I need to replace the filters and membrane, and what does routine maintenance cost?
Pre-filter cartridges (sediment and carbon) are changed every 6–12 months, depending on usage and local water conditions. For an average Jefferson City family of four, that means one service visit per year at a parts cost of roughly $40–$60. The RO membrane typically lasts 3–5 years. Replacement membranes cost $70–$120, and we test its performance at each annual visit so you know when it is time. Our full maintenance package—including filter changes, membrane check, sanitizing the tank, and pressure adjustment—runs $110–$140 per year, comparable to the price of two months’ worth of bottled water.
Does an RO system waste a lot of water, and are newer units more efficient?
All RO units create a concentrate (brine) stream that carries rejected contaminants to the drain. Older systems used 3–4 gallons of feed water to make 1 gallon of purified water. Modern, water-saving models we install in Jefferson City feature a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, meaning they use only one to two extra gallons to produce each gallon of drinking water. If you wish to reclaim that water, we can plumb the brine line to a utility sink, outdoor hose bib, or gray-water storage barrel for plant irrigation. Because Jefferson City’s water rates are modest—about $0.002 per gallon—operating costs remain pennies per day even without water reclamation.
What is the typical installed cost of a residential RO system in Jefferson City, and are there local incentives?
A high-quality, 4-stage RO unit with a 50–75 GPD membrane, dedicated faucet, and professional installation generally ranges from $575 to $825, depending on cabinet layout, countertop material (for faucet drilling), and any refrigerator connections. While there are currently no city-wide rebates, Three Rivers Electric and Ameren Missouri occasionally offer small incentives ($25–$50) for water-saving RO models—ask us to check the latest programs when you schedule. Many homeowners also receive a 10 % discount on bottled-water delivery cancellations once the RO system is active, recouping their investment in 12–18 months.