Reverse-osmosis Drinking
Reverse-osmosis Drinking | Water Purification | Plumbing | Winchester
Imagine turning on your kitchen tap and watching crystal-clear water cascade out—silky, refreshing, and free from the lingering taste of chlorine or hard-water minerals. That’s what HEP brings to Winchester homes with our state-of-the-art reverse-osmosis systems. By forcing ordinary tap water through ultra-fine membranes, we strip away up to 99% of dissolved solids, heavy metals, and micro-contaminants, leaving you with nothing but pure H₂O that elevates every sip, simmer, and steam.
Locally licensed, fully insured, and backed by decades of plumbing expertise, our team handles everything from precision installation to ongoing maintenance plans—so you never have to worry about filter schedules or complicated upkeep. If you’re ready for a smarter approach to water purification and a noticeable boost in taste, clarity, and peace of mind, schedule your free in-home consultation with HEP today.
FAQs
What is a reverse-osmosis (RO) drinking water system and how does it work?
Reverse osmosis is a multi-stage filtration process that forces mains water through a semi-permeable membrane. In Winchester homes, the typical under-sink RO unit has three to five cartridges: a sediment pre-filter, one or two carbon filters, the RO membrane itself, and a post-carbon polishing filter. Under pressure, only water molecules pass through the membrane, while dissolved salts, chlorine by-products, lead, nitrates, PFAS, and other impurities are flushed to drain. The result is clean, great-tasting water delivered to a dedicated faucet, refrigerator, or ice maker.
Why might Winchester residents need an RO system if our municipal water already meets safety standards?
Even though Winchester’s municipal supply complies with state and EPA regulations, allowable contaminant levels can still affect taste, odor, and long-term health—especially for infants, immune-compromised individuals, or anyone on sodium-restricted diets. RO filtration provides an additional barrier that removes up to 99% of dissolved solids, chlorine taste, PFAS, lead from older service lines, and seasonal agricultural runoff that can enter the Ashuelot/Connecticut River watershed before treatment. It guarantees bottle-quality water at every glass, right from your kitchen.
Which contaminants does a properly maintained RO system remove or reduce?
Certified reverse-osmosis systems typically remove 90–99% of: • Lead, mercury, arsenic, and chromium • PFAS “forever chemicals” • Nitrates and nitrites • Fluoride (partial), sodium, and hardness minerals (TDS) • Chlorine, chloramine, and their by-products (THMs) • VOCs, pesticides, and micro-plastics • Bad tastes and odors. Lab tests on Winchester tap water before and after installation routinely show total dissolved solids (TDS) dropping from ~170–250 ppm to 5–25 ppm.
Does an RO system waste water, and how efficient are newer models?
Traditional RO units use 3–4 gallons to produce one gallon of purified water. Modern high-efficiency membranes, permeate pumps, and water-on-water tanks cut the waste ratio to 1:1—sometimes better—so only about one extra gallon goes to drain for every gallon you drink. We can route the reject water to a basement laundry tub or outdoor irrigation line if desired, and Winchester has no local drought restrictions that prohibit RO installations.
How much space, maintenance, and cost should I expect?
Space: The compact manifold and 3-gal storage tank fit under most 36-inch kitchen sinks (approx. 15" W × 5" D × 17" H for the filters plus a 12"-diameter tank). Maintenance: • Sediment & carbon pre-filters every 6–12 months • RO membrane every 24–36 months • Post-filter annually • Annual sanitization and pressure check. Homeowners can DIY in 15 minutes or purchase our service plan ($129/year). Cost: Installed systems start around $675, including dedicated faucet, tax, and a 5-year warranty; filter sets run $65–$90.
Can the RO unit connect to my fridge, icemaker, or coffee machine, and how long does installation take?
Yes. We install a food-grade line from the RO storage tank to most refrigerators up to 25 ft away, giving you crystal-clear ice and chilled water. We can also add a tee for espresso machines or humidifiers. A standard under-sink installation in Winchester typically takes 2–3 hours, requires no major plumbing modifications, and is fully protected by our licensed-plumber workmanship guarantee. You’ll be drinking purified water the same day we arrive.