Inconvenient

I got this RO unit for my apartment because I don't have counter space for another appliance and undersink installation is an expensive hassle. I thought it fit the bill perfectly.
First thing that happened was that it shipped without the faucet adapter that was supposed to be included. When I requested that, it did fit on my faucet, but then I discovered my water pressure wasn't enough for the gauge to even get up to the "operating" range. OCCASIONALLY at random points during the day or night it might just pass the "operating" line but it is unpredictable.
I tried to use it anyway since I spent the money and I figured some filtering is better than none, but it takes about half an hour to fill a liter bottle. In addition, the diverter valve doesn't work, at least on mine. If I leave the valve on my faucet, it runs a trickle through the RO unit too. Considering that the instructions warn not to run hot water through the unit or it will completely ruin the membrane, I couldn't leave the diverter valve on my faucet since I use hot water for dish washing, etc.. That means every time I want to use the unit, I have to remove the faucet aerator with a wrench, attached the RO diverter valve with a wrench (has to be tight or it will leak unfiltered water into your container despite the rubber seal), wait half an hour for a drink, remove the diverter valve and replace the faucet aerator for normal dish washing, etc..

All in all it is so much of a hassle I just don't use it and it is currently wasting space in a cabinet. If you truly don't have the space for any type of normal RO unit (e.g. in an RV) then this might be your only option. If you want filtered water that you don't have to fight for, then I would recommend a better designed unit.

[Sunday, March 30, 2008]