Should you use TFC membranes or CTA? One thing that I have discovered is that CTA membranes are better for rentals because when it's time to service the system you can just dispose of the old membrane and start off with a new one. TFC's must be sterilized and you must be careful to make sure that the membrane is dated so you know when it was placed into service. If you run any membrane until its dead then the customer is drinking tap water. It's better to replace with new on your schedule than replace with new on the customer's demand.

Membrane failures are inevitable. Don't blame the manufacturer. Tell the customer that the tap water is responsible for these problems and they will understand. CTA's don't reject salts as well as TFC's but you don't have to worry as much about contamination post of the membrane. The city of Phoenix maintains 2-PPM minimum free chlorine testable at any location. In the summer the temperature of the water in the main lines buried in the ground can reach 85 degrees farenheit and my experience has shown that 2-PPM minimum chlorine can really mean much higher levels in other locations further down stream.

CTA membranes take high chlorine levels in their stride if they can survive the high pH, which in some parts of the Valley is higher than 8.5 pH. So we must use TFC's in those areas where the pH is too high for CTA's. When you find these areas that are different map then out on a grid and keep track of them. You will find this map very useful in the years to come. When you have an installation in an area that typically has high pH then I would recommend a TFC type membrane. Remember you will have to make more trips out for the TFC system for service, but those calls will be at your convenience not after a CTA has failed under high pH conditions.

I like the idea of using UV post of the storage tank but it is not necessary to use with CTA systems on chlorinated water with all carbon post of the storage tank. You may also consider charging more for problem areas because your costs will be different from those areas that have better tap water.

Conclusion
There are many things to consider when starting a rental program. I believe that this business can be very successful when you apply ideas such as the ones that I have brought forward. System rental puts the customer in control of their R/O system's service because if they don't like the water coming out of it they may not want to pay your rental fee. If you do have disputes with water quality give them a month free and try to take care of the problem. Technology is on your side.

Just like a bad restaurant it doesn't take too many dissatisfied customers to close your doors. I have seen so many R/O systems that have never been serviced from new, 7 to 10 years before. The water treatment industry has a gray cloud over its head from controversy and unsatisfied customers. People just forget that the systems are even there, and continue to use the water no matter how bad tasting it gets. They just get comfortable to the water as its quality diminishes and some never notice a taste difference.

Then, when someone shows up to service the system the customer finally realizes their neglect. They hear the bad news from the service man. "This unit is dead". You have been drinking tap water for the last 5 years. This is why rental program benefits the customer. They get what they want, good safe water and no maintenance hassles.

Regularly serviced systems get upgraded, if needed, and totally replaced when it's time to be serviced. The rental company gets in return a fair profit, and happy customers that will use your business until the cows come home or when you retire which ever comes first.

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