Why Your RO Wastes Water — and How to Reduce It
Learn the normal RO reject ratio, spot the faults that waste extra water, and pick up easy ways to reuse reject water at home.
Every RO purifier sends some water down the drain. The membrane works by splitting incoming water into a purified stream and a reject stream that carries away the dissolved salts.
How Much Waste Is Normal?
A typical domestic RO rejects around three litres for every litre of purified water. The exact ratio depends on your input TDS, water pressure and the condition of the membrane.
When Waste Becomes a Warning Sign
- Reject flow suddenly increases while purified output drops
- The purifier runs much longer to fill the same tank
- The flow restrictor is worn out or fitted incorrectly
- The membrane is choked and pushing more water to the drain
Smart Ways to Reuse Reject Water
- Collect it in a bucket for mopping floors
- Use it for washing vehicles, balconies or outdoor areas
- Pre-rinse utensils before a final wash with regular water
- Water hardy plants, but avoid this if your input TDS is very high
If your purifier seems to be wasting far more than it produces, a quick check can usually find the cause. Aquera Solutions services RO systems across Nellore and can restore a healthy purified-to-reject ratio.