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I recently moved into a house with a 4 stage RO system under the sink. Since the previous owner left replacement filters for it and I don't know how long it's been, I plan to sanitize the system and put in new filters. However, I am baffled by the second stage which contains a phosphate filter. I haven't opened it up yet, but the replacement is a 2 lb. cartridge of phosphate crystals. I am curious as to what purpose or existing water condition this would be required. Is this used to correct a specific problem? I am on well water and there is a whole house sediment filter besides. Unless someone knows why phosphate would need to be introduced to the 'drinking water', I plan on replacing it with a carbon filter instead. Mainly, I'm just curious.
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Since no one was kind or smart enough to reply to my query, I did some more research on my own. Apparently, phosphate crystals are introduced into a water system to inhibit scaling, or stop corrosion of metal pipes from certain water conditions such as being too acidic or high amounts of dissolved oxygen. The phosphate somehow coats or conditions the inside of piping to prevent these problems. Now, in my case, the phosphate was being introduced as the second stage of a Reverse Osmosis system at point of use under the kitchen sink. As there was nothing past this point but the RO membrane, a carbon polishing filter, and plastic tubing, I would say this was doing absolutely no good. I will go with my original hypothesis and replace the second stage with a carbon block filter. Anyone with knowledge to the contrary, please post, as I claim no expertise beyond my research skills.
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