why does my reverse osmosis system run out of water?

A reverse osmosis system may stop dispensing water if the pressure in the storage tank is too high or too low, there is insufficient incoming water pressure due to a clogged filter or membrane, blockage in the water supply line, the bladder has a leak or the tank has been emptied.

A standard reverse osmosis storage tank works with a bladder that is surrounded by pressurized air. The amount of water that goes in or out of the bladder depends on the supply of water and the bladder having the correct pressure surrounding it.

There are several things that can cause a reverse osmosis system to not deliver the amount of water that it ideally should. Check these common causes of why a reverse osmosis system will run out of water and find out how to get your system working as it should.

A reverse osmosis water storage tank works by applying air pressure to the outside of a rubber water bladder that allows water that is at a higher pressure than the air surrounding the bladder to go into the bladder, and then letting the water go out of the bladder when a faucet is opened.

Because the flow of water going into and out of the storage tank is based on pressure, the balance between the air pressure on the outside of the bladder and the pressure of the water on the inside of the bladder needs to be just right in order to allow the bladder to fill to full capacity and empty completely.

Just like on a bicycle tire, the air inside can gradually leak out of the reverse osmosis storage tank. When this happens there will not be enough air pressure surrounding the bladder to force all of the stored water in the bladder out.

While low air pressure will not force out all the water that a reverse osmosis system should, having too high air pressure will not produce optimum water as well. If the air pressure surrounding the water bladder is too high, it will not allow as much water into the bladder as it should and therefore there will be less water in the tank to dispense.

Many people think that if they increase the pressure in their reverse osmosis storage tank the water will come out faster so their glass will fill quickly. Unfortunately, when they pump more air into their storage tank, they are surprised to find that not only is the water coming out at the same speed, but there is much less water coming out than before.