Water purifiers and RO plants for offices and schools

Safe drinking water in an office, school or factory is a daily necessity, and the purifier is used by dozens or hundreds of people. Choosing one that suits your water source and your headcount — and keeping it maintained — matters more than the brand on the front.

Test your water first

Different water sources need different treatment. Before choosing:

• Find out whether your supply is municipal, borewell or tanker water.
• Get the water tested for total dissolved solids (TDS) and any other contaminants of concern.
• Share the report with suppliers; a good supplier will recommend the purification method from it.

RO (reverse osmosis) is widely used for high-TDS water, but water with low TDS may not need RO at all.

Capacity: how much water per day

• Estimate daily drinking water need from your headcount, with extra for peak days.
• Commercial RO plants are rated in litres per hour; ask about storage tank size so water is available at peak times like lunch.
• For schools, plan for breaks when many students drink at once.

Dispensing

• Separate purifier and cooler, or combined units.
• Number of taps and their placement to avoid crowding.
• Hot water option for pantries if needed.

Waste water

RO systems reject part of the water as waste. Ask:

1. What proportion of water is rejected by the system.
2. Whether the reject water can be reused for cleaning, gardening or flushing.

Maintenance

• Filters and membranes need periodic replacement.
• Ask about an annual maintenance contract, what it covers, and response time for breakdowns.
• Keep a service log near the unit.

Installation

Check space, plumbing, drainage and electrical points before installation. Ask whether the supplier handles plumbing and electrical connections.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing RO without testing water. If your water already has low dissolved solids, RO may be unnecessary and wastes water.
• Undersizing for peak times. Lunch hours and school breaks drain small storage tanks quickly; size for the rush, not the average.
• Skipping filter changes. A neglected purifier can make water worse, not better. Keep to the service schedule.
• Letting reject water go down the drain. Plan a simple way to reuse it for cleaning or gardening.
• Placing the unit in direct sun or a damp corner. Heat and moisture shorten component life; choose a shaded, dry spot with good access for servicing.

What to include in your enquiry

• Type of premises and headcount
• Water source and test report if available
• Required capacity and number of dispensing points
• Cooling or hot water needs
• Installation, AMC and your location

Compare suppliers in water, waste and environment, or post your requirement with your headcount and water source.