ASSE 1086-2020, Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency – Drinking Water, has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is now available for purchase.

Residential reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment systems provide an excellent means to reduce contaminants found in drinking water by utilizing a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and particles. To function properly, these systems need a certain amount of rinse water, which is typically sent to the drain. Manufacturers of RO systems and components have been working to improve the efficiency of RO systems by reducing the amount of rinse water needed. The purpose of this standard is to aid water conservation efforts by providing manufacturers an efficiency target for their RO system designs.

As the popularity of residential RO water treatment expanded in the Unites States, the water quality industry worked with standards development organizations to create standards for material safety, structural integrity, and reduction of common water contaminants — such as NSF/ANSI 58 and WQA S-300. In contrast, ASSE 1086 was created to address minimum RO water efficiency and the effect on the RO membrane life.

“As the demand for better water quality continues to grow and water scarcity issues expand throughout the world because of droughts and increased population, new standards and regulations — such as ASSE 1086 — help drive innovation,” said ASSE Executive Director Tom Palkon. “ASSE 1086 is another example of how ASSE International continues to be a global leader in promoting water conservation.”

ASSE 1086 covers water efficiency for residential RO systems and performance testing to address the membrane life concerns of high efficiency RO systems and membranes. The standard includes test requirements for complete systems or components, including system manifolds, RO membranes, pre- and post-filtration assemblies, supply and drain connections, and more.

To purchase ASSE 1086, visit the ASSE International Webstore. For questions regarding the standard, contact Christopher White, ASSE manager of product certification and standards, at chris.white@asse-plumbing.org.