Reverse Osmosis Installation in Fountain Hills, AZ
Under-sink 5-stage and 6-stage RO systems for Fountain Hills custom kitchens. The paired water softener plus reverse osmosis setup is the standard treatment for EPCOR's 16 gpg supply, providing whole-home appliance protection and point-of-use drinking water quality together.
Drinking Water Treatment for 16 gpg Hard Water
What reverse osmosis removes in Fountain Hills that a water softener does not
A water softener and a reverse osmosis system address different problems with different methods, and in Fountain Hills they are most useful together rather than as alternatives. The water softener exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions, eliminating the scale-forming minerals before they reach water heaters, appliances, and fixtures. It does not remove dissolved solids, chloramines, nitrates, or other compounds that affect water taste and cooking quality. The RO system addresses those compounds at the point of use in the kitchen.
EPCOR uses chloramination (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) as the disinfection method for the Chaparral District supply. Chloraminated water requires catalytic carbon filtration to remove the disinfectant, not just standard activated carbon, because chloramines are more chemically stable than free chlorine and do not break down as readily on a standard carbon surface. A 5-stage reverse osmosis system addresses this with a combination of sediment pre-filtration, catalytic carbon pre-filtration, the RO membrane itself, and a carbon post-filter before the storage tank, followed by a final polishing carbon stage before the faucet.
At 16 gpg with a total dissolved solids (TDS) level typically in the range of 300 to 400 milligrams per liter for Fountain Hills EPCOR water, an RO membrane removes roughly 95 to 99 percent of dissolved solids in the permeate (treated) water. This brings the TDS at the kitchen faucet from the high-mineral EPCOR supply down to a level consistent with high-quality bottled water. For Fountain Hills homeowners who cook with filtered or bottled water because of the tap taste, an RO system eliminates the need for delivered water and provides on-demand treated water at the kitchen sink and at a refrigerator connection if installed.
What We Do
What RO installation involves in a Fountain Hills custom kitchen
A standard under-sink 5-stage RO installation involves mounting the filter housing assembly under the kitchen sink cabinet, connecting the filter train to the cold water supply line with a saddle valve or dedicated angle stop, connecting the drain line to the sink drain with a drain saddle or dedicated drain connection, and installing the RO storage tank. The RO faucet installs through an existing pre-drilled hole on the sink deck or through a new hole drilled in the countertop, depending on the sink configuration. For Fountain Hills luxury kitchens with granite, quartz, or marble countertops, the hole location and drilling method requires care with the countertop material to avoid cracking.
Refrigerator and ice maker connections are included when the refrigerator is within a reasonable distance of the RO tank. Connecting the refrigerator to the RO tank rather than directly to the unsoftened supply line produces significantly better ice quality in a Fountain Hills home.
Membrane replacement is the primary ongoing maintenance task. At Fountain Hills's 16 gpg hardness level, a standard TFC (thin-film composite) RO membrane on a softener-pre-filtered supply typically produces quality water for 2 to 3 years before replacement. Pre-filters (sediment and carbon cartridges) need replacement annually. We install systems with color-coded filter housings and mark the replacement dates on the filter housings at installation.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a water softener and a reverse osmosis system for Fountain Hills water?
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium to prevent scale in pipes, water heaters, and appliances. A reverse osmosis system filters water through a semi-permeable membrane at the kitchen sink to remove dissolved solids, chloramines, nitrates, and other compounds that affect taste and cooking quality. In Fountain Hills at 16 gpg, both are commonly installed together: the softener protects the home plumbing system and extends appliance life, while the RO system provides treated water for drinking, cooking, and ice.
How often does an RO membrane need replacement in Fountain Hills?
On a supply that is pre-softened before the RO system, a standard RO membrane typically lasts 2 to 3 years in Fountain Hills's high-TDS water. On unsoftened EPCOR water, the membrane handles the full 16 gpg load directly and may need replacement in 12 to 18 months. Pre-filters (sediment and carbon cartridges) need annual replacement regardless. We mark replacement dates on each filter housing at installation.
Reverse Osmosis Installation service areas in Fountain Hills and NE Scottsdale
Related Services
Related plumbing services
Water Softener Installation & Repair
The softener-plus-RO paired installation is the standard treatment for Fountain Hills custom kitchens. We install both systems on the same visit for a complete water quality solution.
water softener installation →Water Filtration Installation
A whole-house carbon pre-filter upstream of the softener addresses chloramines in the full supply, complementing the under-sink RO system for kitchens with dedicated cooking water needs.
water filtration installation →Tankless Water Heater Services
Tankless water heaters installed on softened RO-pre-filtered supply last significantly longer than those on raw EPCOR water. Water quality and water heater service are directly connected in Fountain Hills.
tankless water heater services →Ready to install a reverse osmosis system in Fountain Hills?
Under-sink 5-stage RO with refrigerator connection available. Paired softener-plus-RO installations on the same visit. Licensed and insured.
(833) 380-3192