R/O Units Violate NYC Plumbing Codes

[cybermeez]

Some of them anyway. I've been increasingly annoyed by the amount of counter space my RO/DI unit takes up in my tiny Manhattan kitchen. This prompted me to explore installing it under the sink and how to plumb such a set up. I was a little surprised to learn that the most frequent method of using a drain saddle is a violation of building codes in NYC. I suspect this may true in many of the surrounding areas as well.

Ironically I had reservations about using a drain saddle and that is what has kept me from doing an under sink installation up till now. I wasn't crazy about punching a hole in the drain pipe given the potential for problems that could cause a lot of damage and for which I'd be libel. There are alternatives though they aren't easy to find. The one I think I'll go with is one made by Eco-Tech Drains.

I just thought I'd share with my fellow reefers since it took me by surprise and I know a lot of us use RO water for our tanks.

 

[44santababy]

not sure what you mean, i rent an apt and i have my ro/di installed in my bathroom. I have the actual unit hanging from the bathroom window security bars (knew these bars would be useful for something other than keeping out reef thief) I did connect/valve it under my bathroom sink via cold water line and it drains right back into the top of the sink into drain. I think its pretty fail safe...my 2 cents

 

[jedimaster1138]

Just shove the drain line down the sink drain when you run the unit. That's all I do. I have my unit sitting under the sink, in the cabinet, with the supply (red) line tapped into the cold water flex line using this:

And then when I am making water, I simply put my product line in my container, and shove the black waste line up and out from under the cabinet, into the sink, with a little bit of the line in the drain opening so it doesn't flop around.

I never made any holes or anything permanent that I couldn't remove in 10 minutes should I move etc.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

To hell with plumbing , this is why I got a second full bathroom in my place lol it's a total water change and filtration station!!!!! And my wife don't mind lol

 

[44santababy]

lol...your bathtub looks like mine, unusable! Thank goodness for my separate shower...

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Yeah lol it sucks when the summer comes Cause a second bathroom is a treat lol but I can take it all out if I need to and yes it's like having a meth lab lol

 

[NewfiDog]

Its a violation in the whole country. Reason is simple if the drain was to clog you could contaminate the drinking water, even though not likley but the risk is there. Needs to be drained with an air gap. Its done all the time by companies that install filter units but they very rarely have inspections.

Some of those options you show are air gaps.

 

[marrone]

I have my RODI unit under my sink, including a large storage container. When I redid my kitchen I had them make a hole in my counter top. The waste tube comes up through this hole and right down the drain.

 

[skene]

I don't see why you wouldnt just add a T onto your cold water line... and easily run the drain from the outside into the sink.

 

[MatthewScars]

I don't see why you wouldnt just add a T onto your cold water line... and easily run the drain from the outside into the sink.

" I was a little surprised to learn that the most frequent method of using a drain saddle is a violation of building codes in NYC."

HAHA! And you were peer pressuring me to do this. In your face!

 

[skene]

I never said do it... I gave you an option... :lol2:

 

[cybermeez]

I have 2 sinks in my apartment. One in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, so my options are limited. It's takes a long time to fill up my 20g rubbermaid garbage can. During that entire time - between the faucet adapter and the drain line poked down the sink drain, I can't really use my kitchen sink.

My plan was to put a tee on the cold water pipe under the sink. One opening would be plumbed to the RO filter via an on/off valve, and the other would feed water to the faucet. Then I'd just plumb the RO's drain line into the sinks drain under the cabinet and I'd be all set. My sink and tank both back on to the same wall with one on one side and one on the other. If I wanted I could make a small hole in the wall and run the RO's output line through it making everything all nice and tidy.

 

[jedimaster1138]

Agree that you don't want to use the faucet adapter...that would make it hard to use the sink, (plus they aren't pretty if you ask me) but you are on the right path with:

My plan was to put a tee on the cold water pipe under the sink. One opening would be plumbed to the RO filter via an on/off valve, and the other would feed water to the faucet.

- this is exactly what I do and makes it neat and tidy.

...the drain line poked down the sink drain, I can't really use my kitchen sink

Why not? I use mine all the time while i'm making RO product, which like you, takes hours. When it comes time to make water, I pull my blue (product) line out from under the sink and shove it in my container, and pull the black (waste) line out as well and pull it up and into the sink, and a few inches down the drain so it's secure. Open up the valve on the red (supply) line and boom, pure water. (Actually I flush the system for 15 minutes with the blue line in the sink too, but that's not relevant right now)

The drain line shoved down the sink drain doesn't care if you're washing dishes or whatever in the sink at the same time...waste water is waste water. Who cares if the tube is getting covered in water from the faucet too if you're using the sink...you're not using that line for aquarium use anyway. I mean sure it's in the way, sorta...but whatever. It's still better than having to make holes in pipes and things, IMO, especially if you're renting and liable to have to pack it all up and move in a year.

Now if I'm missing something like using the RO/DI system plumbed into your ATO with a float switch or something, forgive me. But as I see it, you're in the same boat as me.

Just make sure if you do choose to poke a hole into your drain pipe you do it on the INSIDE side of the trap. IE between the trap and the sink...NOT between the trap and the wall. Doing it the latter way would result in methane gas backing up into your RO/DI waste line and uh...you don't want that