To determine what's causing the "funny" taste, please do the following for us:
- Check the TDS (contaminant) level at different points along the system.
- Do a taste test at these points to identify where the water begins to taste bad.
- Test the "waste water" to "pure water" ratio.
(Test: waste ratio, test tds & taste at: F, H, J, L and Tap)
Please do the test steps listed below. Use the TDS meter (water quality tester) to test your TAP and Filtered water. Please see the figure below for reference points.
Test #1: Waste Water Ratio
Purpose: The RO takes 4-5 gallons of waste water to make 1 gallon pure water. So the "Waste Ratio" should be 4:1 to 5:1. If wastewater is less than this ratio, the TDS will be high. Test waste ratio as follows:
- Fill up an 8 oz cup from this line ---> this is PURE water from the membrane.
- Measure the amount of WASTE water the RO generated to make the 8oz pure water.
- Are you getting about 4 - 5 cups of waste water for 1 cup of pure water?
- Record the "waste ratio". Give us the number.
(The C-3 port has quick-connect type fitting. To remove clear line from port, see "How to Use Quick-Connect Fittings" at this link: www.freedrinkingwater.com/pages/manual.htm)
Test #2: Point F TDS & Taste:
Purpose: Test TDS at point F. This is to confirm that the 1st filter is ok, and is not causing the "funny" taste.
- Remove the Clear line from point F.
- Catch some water from this line. Test TDS. Record TDS for point F.
- Do a taste test of water from this line. Record your finding for point F.
Test #3: Point H TDS & Taste
Purpose: Test TDS at point H. This is to confirm that the 2nd filter is ok, and is not causing the "funny" taste.
- Remove the CLEAR line from point H .
- Catch some water from this line. Test TDS. Record TDS for point H.
- Do a taste test at point H. Record your finding.
Test #4: Point J TDS & Taste
Purpose: Test TDS at point J. This is to test the membrane is ok, and is not causing the "funny" taste.
- Remove the line from point J.
- Catch some water from this line. Test TDS. Record TDS for point J.
- Do a taste test at point J. Record your finding.
Test #5: Point L TDS & Taste (Make sure to remove red cap when testing water)
Purpose: Test TDS at point L. This is to test the 4th filter is ok, and is not causing the "funny" taste.
- Remove the line from point
- Catch some water from this line. Test TDS. Record TDS for point J.
- Do a taste test at point J. Record your finding.
Test #6: TAP water TDS
- Get some TAP (unfiltered) water from your sink faucet.
- Do TDS test. Record your tap water's TDS.
Please give us the TDS number for points: F, H, J, L and Tap. We need these info to diagnose further.