01
Water Quality
Drop in treated water output
Cause
- Membrane fouling by solids, salts or microorganisms
- Saturated pre-treatment (sediment filters, activated carbon)
- Pressure drop due to worn pump
- Source water temperature lower than expected
Solution
- Chemical CIP cleaning of membranes
- Replacement of pre-treatment filters
- Inspection and adjustment of high-pressure pump
- Evaluate membrane replacement if CIP does not restore flow
02
Final Quality
High conductivity in produced water
Cause
- Damaged or oxidized membranes (free chlorine in pre-treatment)
- O-ring seals on housings with internal leaks
- Mixing between permeate and reject in valves
- Antiscalant incorrectly dosed
Solution
- Integrity test per housing (measure individual TDS)
- Replacement of o-rings and internal connectors
- Replacement of damaged membranes
- Check activated carbon in pre-treatment (removes chlorine)
03
Mechanical
Excessive pump noise or vibration
Cause
- Cavitation due to insufficient water inlet
- Worn bearings
- Misaligned motor-pump coupling
- Air trapped in the system
Solution
- Check feed flow rate and inlet pressure
- Inspection and replacement of bearings
- Motor-pump shaft realignment
- Purge the system and inspect check valves
04
Operation
Plant stops on its own (frequent alarms)
Cause
- High or low pressure switches out of adjustment
- Lack of feed water or empty tank
- Electrical failure in level or flow sensors
- Overpressure due to closed reject valve
Solution
- Pressure switch calibration to nominal pressure
- Inspection of feed pump and level sensors
- Electrical sensor test at the panel
- Adjust reject valve to the correct recovery rate
05
Maintenance
Leaks in connections or housings
Cause
- Aged or dried o-rings
- Loose connections due to prolonged vibration
- Freezing damage (plant without winter protection)
- Corrosion on metallic parts
Solution
- Replacement of o-rings and toric seals
- Retightening of joints and anti-vibration mounts
- Drain plant before frost or install heat tracing
- Replacement of corroded components with stainless ones
06
Pre-treatment
Unpleasant odor or taste in produced water
Cause
- Spent activated carbon (does not remove chlorine or organic compounds)
- Saturated sediment filters
- Post-RO tank with biofilm
- Pipes with bacteria or sediment
Solution
- Replacement of activated carbon (every 6–12 months depending on use)
- Replacement of pre-filter cartridges
- Cleaning and disinfection of the post-RO tank
- Sanitization of the entire system
07
Electrical Installation
Circuit breakers tripping due to insufficient power
Cause
- The customer is unaware of the installed power available in their electrical panel
- Hiring electricians without experience in high-demand equipment
- Incorrect sizing of breakers, conductors and protections
- The RO plant is not declared to the electrical designer before installation
- High-pressure pump startup generates a current peak not considered in the design
Solution
- Request an electrical load study before installing the plant
- Verify the panel has enough contracted power (single-phase vs. three-phase)
- Size breakers and cables per the equipment datasheet (kW + startup factor)
- Coordinate with an SEC-certified electrician to enable the dedicated circuit
- In critical cases, arrange a contracted-power increase with the utility
Does your plant have
any of these problems?
On-site technical visit and diagnosis with calibrated instruments.