To reduce the amount of water wasted by treatment systems that remove contaminants from water at home, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final Specification for Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems for these RO systems to earn the WaterSense label.

Point-of-use RO systems connected to a single fixture, e.g., at the kitchen sink, can remove contaminants from water where users require additional treatment for odor, taste or other reasons. RO systems can waste a great deal of water in the treatment process. In fact, a typical RO system sends five gallons of water or more down the drain for every gallon of treated water produced.

With the publication of the final specification, more efficient RO systems can now earn the WaterSense label. Labeled RO systems must be independently certified to use at least 50% less water than typical RO systems and send 2.3 gallons of water or less down the drain for every gallon of treated water produced. What’s more, the WaterSense specification ensures that labeled RO systems are just as effective at providing the high-quality drinking water consumers expect from these products.

While not every home requires supplemental water treatment, those who choose to install a point-of-use RO system can save more than an estimated 3,100 gallons of water and nearly $50 in water and wastewater costs annually by installing a WaterSense labeled RO system instead of a typical RO system. Consumers who are unsure if they need an RO system for their household should review the WaterSense Guide to Selecting Water Treatment Systems and the Treating Water With Less Waste report to learn more about whether an RO system is right for them and what to look for when selecting a RO system.

EPA will host a public meeting to discuss the specification and certification process. The meeting is intended for manufacturers and certifying bodies. However, all interested parties are welcome to attend. The public meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 2-4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Please register to attend the webinar.