RO System Quotation: Water Analysis & Project Checklist

To request a reverse osmosis system quotation, prepare six essential inputs: a feedwater analysis, the required treated-water capacity, the intended use and water-quality target, daily operating hours, the electrical supply, and preferences for automation and materials.

If some information is unavailable, identify the gaps clearly. A preliminary discussion can begin with incomplete data, but membrane selection, recovery rate and treated-water performance should remain subject to technical review.

Start with the Water Source and Analysis Report

Tell your supplier where the water comes from: a borehole, municipal supply, surface-water intake or seawater intake. Include the sampling date and explain whether the sample was collected before or after existing treatment.

A report should describe more than salinity. Useful parameters include pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, sulfate, silica and iron. Depending on the source, additional testing may be needed for particles, organic matter, microorganisms or application-specific contaminants.

DuPont’s FilmTec technical manual provides guidance on water chemistry, pretreatment and RO design. Its water-analysis and operating guidance illustrates why a TDS reading alone does not describe the complete feedwater condition.

For technical reference, see the DuPont FilmTec RO/NF Technical Manual.

Define Capacity as Treated Water, with Clear Units

A Globaluf 40m³/h Industrial Reverse Osmosis (RO) system featuring multiple white RO membrane pressure vessels arranged horizontally on a robust stainless steel skid, complete with pumps, valves, and intricate piping for high-capacity water purification.

State whether your capacity requirement refers to feedwater entering the system or treated water leaving it.

A clear request might read:

We need 50 m³ of treated water per day, with approximately 10 operating hours available each day.

This corresponds to an average treated-water production requirement of 5 m³/h during those operating hours. It is an initial sizing calculation, rather than a confirmed equipment rating. Cleaning, maintenance, storage and peak demand still need to be considered.

Include:

Daily treated-water demand, in m³/day.
Required production rate, if known, in m³/h.
Available operating hours.
Storage capacity and any peak-demand periods.

Explain the Intended Use and Water-Quality Target

“Clean water” is not a sufficiently detailed specification.

Explain whether the water will be used for bottled drinking water, food production, irrigation, boiler makeup, cooling, electronics manufacturing or another application.

Then provide the relevant water-quality limits, customer specification or applicable standard. Identify which requirements apply at the RO outlet and which apply at the final point of use.

An RO unit may form only part of the complete treatment system. Storage, distribution and downstream treatment should therefore be included in the scope discussion.

Describe Existing Treatment and Site Conditions

Share a simple description or diagram of the equipment already installed. Include tanks, filters, chemical dosing and existing pumps where relevant.

Also identify:

Available installation space and access.
Feedwater supply conditions.
Electrical voltage, phase and frequency.
Available drainage and the proposed concentrate-disposal route.
Indoor or outdoor installation.
Required connections to existing equipment.

These details help define the supply and installation responsibilities before a quotation is prepared.

State Your Automation and Materials Preferences

Tell the supplier how the system will be operated and maintained.

For example, specify whether you need a basic local control panel, PLC and HMI controls, or integration with an existing site control system. Identify required alarms, communication interfaces and any preferred component brands.

Materials and equipment choices should be evaluated against the water conditions, installation environment and project specification. A preferred material or brand should be stated as a requirement to review, rather than assumed to suit every application.

Use This Checklist for Your Inquiry

Required information	What to provide
Feedwater	Source, laboratory report, sampling date and sampling point
Capacity	Treated-water demand in m³/day or m³/h
Water-quality target	Intended use and relevant quality limits
Operating hours	Hours per day, demand pattern and storage
Electrical supply	Voltage, phase and frequency
Configuration preferences	Automation, materials and preferred brands
Site and scope details	Existing treatment, connections, installation and drainage

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a quotation without a water analysis?

Yes. You can begin a preliminary discussion and identify the testing still required. Any initial proposal should clearly state its assumptions and the information needed before final design.

Is TDS enough to select an RO system?

No. TDS is one input. A more complete water analysis and the project operating conditions are needed for technical assessment.

Should I specify feedwater flow or treated-water flow?

Provide both if available, and label them clearly. If you know only the required treated-water capacity, state that explicitly.

What if I already have pretreatment equipment?

Share its equipment list, operating information and available water-test results before and after treatment. Identify which equipment you intend to retain.

Discuss Your RO Project with GLOBALUF

Send your feedwater report, required treated-water capacity and intended use to sales@globaluf.com. Include daily operating hours, electrical specifications and configuration preferences so we can review the project requirements and identify any missing information.

Contact GLOBALUF to discuss your project.