Review on APEC Water Systems RO 90 Certified by Jeremy Black

In selecting this reverse osmosis system I tried to do my best with due care. Apparently the ratings for Revain are outstanding, confirming the high ratings from Home Depot etc. My tap water is rich in copper and I have been using an under counter reverse osmosis system (Hot Tub WHER25) for a decade. The reverse osmosis water has been independently tested twice a year for the past 10 years and has always been tested for a copper content of 0.00 ppb. Typical copper levels in wastewater are between 1000 and 1200 ppb (EPA action level is 1300 ppb). I wanted to buy another reverse osmosis system for a guest house and decided on the APEC RO-90. I had the system installed by a plumber over a week ago - he is a very respected plumber and has installed hundreds of reverse osmosis systems over the past twenty years. Installation cost was $270. The instructions explain that before using the water for the first time, the tank must be filled and completely emptied. 2. Water tank "will be ready to use". When the second water tank was full, I tested the water with a HI702 Hanna Checker High Range Copper Colorimeter from Hanna Instruments. The reading returned to 200 ppb copper. I reanalyzed the water five times and all samples showed copper levels between 200 and 210 ppb. Then I tested the water from the whirlpool reverse osmosis system again. All 5 tests showed 0.00 ppb copper. I then used the JNW Testing Pool & Spa 7 in 1 test strip to test the pH of both reverse osmosis systems. A well-functioning reverse osmosis system should have a pH of around 7.0. Spa water was tested and I got a score of 7.0. APEC was tested and the pH was 8.2. RO-90 water should have a pH of 7.0, just like hot tub RO water. The next day I called the company and explained the results of the test to the technicians. He agreed that "something was wrong" and told me that the plumber must have installed the diaphragm the wrong way round somehow. I called the plumber again who came out and told me the diaphragm was pre-installed. We checked that the membrane was actually installed correctly at the factory. I called the company again and this time spoke to a different specialist who confirmed that the membrane was already installed. He then told me to try flushing the system again to see if that would make a difference. I told him the instructions said only one flush was required. However, I cleared the system again and got the same results. Clearly defective item. The technician told me I would need to contact Revane for a refund. He said that APEC would not refund my $270 installation fee for a defective product, which only Revain can do. Revain reimbursed me for the product itself but was unable to reimburse me for the $270 installation fee. Of course, I won't be buying the same product again after this experience - I'll probably choose a different hot tub system, but I've run out of $270 and have to pay the same to install a new system. It is APEC's good manners not to cover up these charges. I understand that from time to time you may receive a faulty product, but an honest and conscientious business will never leave a consumer in such distress. Shame on you!