Under kitchen sink reverse osmosis water filter

[nywaw]

Anyone have a recommendation for one?  I'm on well water.  Looking to add under my sink.  Water is good and coincidentally had it tested just a few months ago (and all was well), but getting a bit of a sulfur smell recently (which I want to get checked out, maybe it's related to changing the heating elements and checking anode on water heater 2 weeks ago), but figure why not add a filter.

[hueyjazz]

A reverse osmosis water system can waste as much as 20 gallons to make a gallon of drinking water.  I would do more investigation before going this route.  And if sulfur is the problem there's better targeted systems to remediate it.  Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria.  And if it only showed up after you replace water heater, turn temperature up on water heater to kill bacteria.  Around 170 degrees.

Edited March 6, 2023 by hueyjazz

[maddie]

replaced the magnesium anode rod in our hwh with an aluminum rod  as per hwh recomendations and the sulfur smell is totally gone

[nywaw]

16 minutes ago, maddie said:

replaced the magnesium anode rod in our hwh with an aluminum rod  as per hwh recomendations and the sulfur smell is totally gone

Now wishing I would have done that when I had heating elements replaced 

[maddie]

the difference in smell of the h2o from the mag to alum is nothing short of amazing. anode rod or rods are in the top of the tank

[Dogman]

Sulfur is a gas. Different times of year it may show up more then others. To prove this point fill a jug of water and leave the cap off to allow the gas to dissipate . After a day or so pour a glass and smell will be gone. I have sulfur and fill a Brita at night and by morning the smell is gone and water tastes great. I bought the Brita for ease.

They do make a system to control sulfur smell but back in the 80's it was a lot of money. Can only imagine it's cost today.

[GreeneHunter]

When we bought our house ( 20 + years ago ) I noticed some very light smell from the water and a little debris coming out of the Bathroom faucets . So I installed two Whole House Filters . I installed them inline with a bypass . The first filter uses a regular Filter and the second filter uses a Carbon Filter . The Whole House Filters I installed are see through so I know when to change Filters . No more smell or debris ! And no Chemical !

Edited March 7, 2023 by GreeneHunter

[hueyjazz]

Actually, the smell is hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) cause by the natural decay of organics.  Filters and even carbon filters will not be that effective on the removal of any gross amount of gas.   Carbon filters do get some organics though.  

The system that is effective to remediate the hydrogen sulfide one be one that injects a small amount of strong oxidizer like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide.   If your well system has a large holding tank you already have 90% of what's required for the system.  The additional material would be a small tank and an injection pump that tie to your pressure switch.    It's really not hard or that expensive to do yourself.

However, if this problem just started and never was an issue before some of these things can be a once in a blue moon thing.   I wouldn't spend bucks just yet until you have a better handle on how severe and what duration.   Getting a water sample analyzed is fairly cheap.  

Edited March 7, 2023 by hueyjazz

[nywaw]

I did have the water tested just a few months ago and all came back fine.  I don't recall smelling any sulfur before then.  It only became apparent after the hot water heater's heating rod replacement and anode rod review (where the tank was drained, original was taken out, rested on the ground vertically and the bottom 1/2" or so crumbled a bit and then put back in).  It seemed like after that, suddenly we got a sulfur smell in our water.   

I'm trying to determine if it's just with hot, just with cold, or both with hot and cold.  I only seem to smell it significantly at the kitchen sink and when filling cold water in a glass, etc.  I don't notice it when showering at all.  So I'm thoroughly confused as to where this came from suddenly and coincidentally after the hot water heater work.

[mowin]

2 minutes ago, nywaw said:

I did have the water tested just a few months ago and all came back fine.  I don't recall smelling any sulfur before then.  It only became apparent after the hot water heater's heating rod replacement and anode rod review (where the tank was drained, original was taken out, rested on the ground vertically and the bottom 1/2" or so crumbled a bit and then put back in).  It seemed like after that, suddenly we got a sulfur smell in our water.   

I'm trying to determine if it's just with hot, just with cold, or both with hot and cold.  I only seem to smell it significantly at the kitchen sink and when filling cold water in a glass, etc.  I don't notice it when showering at all.  So I'm thoroughly confused as to where this came from suddenly and coincidentally after the hot water heater work.

Has anyone in your immediate area had a well drilled recently or had fracking?  That could change things. 

[nywaw]

8 minutes ago, mowin said:

Has anyone in your immediate area had a well drilled recently or had fracking?  That could change things. 

No fracking, not sure of the well drilling though.  I know mine is in a very deep aquifer, most homes in the area are not (per the well drilling company I use).  The previous owner had it drilled deeper to get into a cleaner/deeper one that's down nearly 400 ft.  The water is generally excellent, have always loved it and drank straight from the tap.  I do have a softener, which is wall that has been needed.  My well pump was replaced in November, and they dropped chlorine in at the time.  Was good after they dissipated as far as I can recollect.

[nywaw]

I actually just asked my girlfriend about when she thought the smell started and she said definitely after the well pump replacement in November, but before the hot water heater fix a couple weeks ago.  So now I'm totally confused haha

[nywaw]

I followed up with the water testing company and will see what their thoughts are when I hear back

[The Back 40]

If your water was fine before you had work done there probably is an issue related to the new equipment or something was "stirred up". 

But, if you can resolve the issue and hate the sulfur an RO system will work. We have all kinds of issues with our water and I have an entire wall of my basement covered in tanks and softeners and we still get the sulfur smell. The RO takes out the smell (and everything else) and the water tastes great. We have a Pure Blue under the sink system and use it for drinking and cooking. we have noticed a significant reduction in rust, stains and film on our cookware. 

Next year they are supposed to be installing public water out here so hopefully we will be able to get rid of some of the crazy water system in the basement and only use the well for our outside spigots and the barn (and a backup).

[nywaw]

1 hour ago, The Back 40 said:

If your water was fine before you had work done there probably is an issue related to the new equipment or something was "stirred up". 

But, if you can resolve the issue and hate the sulfur an RO system will work. We have all kinds of issues with our water and I have an entire wall of my basement covered in tanks and softeners and we still get the sulfur smell. The RO takes out the smell (and everything else) and the water tastes great. We have a Pure Blue under the sink system and use it for drinking and cooking. we have noticed a significant reduction in rust, stains and film on our cookware. 

Next year they are supposed to be installing public water out here so hopefully we will be able to get rid of some of the crazy water system in the basement and only use the well for our outside spigots and the barn (and a backup).

FWIW, something that I came across today on my feed that is resulting in a lot of lawsuits here in NJ is related to these "forever chemicals" in city/municipal water.  You may not want to get rid of a filter system.  I honestly don't know much about it all, but on paper it doesn't sound good.  I love well water (once it's been softened/purified per the conditions of it).  

https://6abc.com/drinking-water-new-jersey-standards-forever-chemicals-pfas/12921801/