Commercial RO Systems

What Is a Commercial Reverse Osmosis System?

A commercial RO system follows the same basic principle as residential RO, scaled up for higher output:

• Feed water enters the system under pressure
• Pre-filters (like sediment filters and carbon stages) protect the membrane from particulate and chlorine damage
• The RO membrane separates purified permeate from concentrated reject water
• Permeate is either stored in a tank or sent directly to the point of use
• Concentrate is routed to drain or managed according to the system design

Shop Commercial RO Systems by Production Capacity

Below we have listed our top RO systems segregated by their production capacity.

400 GPD Light-Commercial RO Systems

The light-commercial 400 GPD system, paired with a 10-gallon pressure tank, sits between a standard under-sink RO unit and a full commercial plant. It's built for customers who need more daily production than a household system offers but don't yet need the output or footprint of a larger commercial installation.

500 GPD Commercial Whole-House RO Systems

The 500 GPD system is AFW's entry point into whole-house commercial RO sized for larger properties or facilities that need a step up in purified-water volume. Sizing it correctly means accounting for the daily production rating, confirming adequate feed pressure, planning storage for periods when demand exceeds instantaneous production, and identifying any pre-treatment the source water requires.

1,000 GPD Commercial RO Systems

The 1,000 GPD system is a mid-range option built for facilities with steady daily demand. This capacity tier also includes replacement membranes, including 2.5-inch by 40-inch and 4-inch by 21-inch elements for customers maintaining an existing system rather than buying new. Membrane dimensions and model numbers vary by housing, so confirm the exact fit against the current system before ordering; not every 1,000 GPD-rated membrane fits every 1,000 GPD housing.

2,000 GPD Commercial RO Systems

A 2,000 GPD commercial reverse osmosis water system is the right fit when 500 or 1,000 GPD production doesn't cover daily capacity needs. At this tier, storage-tank sizing, pumping and distribution, concentrate disposal, feed-water pressure, and operating schedule all become bigger planning factors than they are at lower capacities.

4,000 and 7,000 GPD Systems

The 4,000 and 7,000 GPD systems are AFW's high-capacity commercial RO tier, built for large facilities, commercial properties, and applications that require substantial daily purified-water production. Systems at this scale typically require more planning around available space, drainage, electrical service, storage, and pre-treatment than light-commercial equipment; these are installations worth discussing with AFW directly before purchase.

Commercial RO Membranes and Replacement Components

In addition to complete systems, we also offer replacement Axeon HF1 membranes and supporting components.

Choosing the Correct Commercial RO Membrane

Before ordering a replacement membrane, verify:

• Manufacturer and model
• Membrane size
• Capacity rating
• Low-energy or standard configuration
• Vessel compatibility
• Operating pressure
• Source-water chemistry
• Replacement requirements for the specific housing

Current membrane options include the Axeon HF1-2521 (rated 400 GPD at 150 psi), the Axeon HF1-2540 (rated 1,000 GPD at 150 psi), the Axeon HF1-4021 (rated 1,000 GPD at 150 psi), and the Axeon HF1-4040 (listed at 2,500 GPD). Customers unsure which membrane matches their housing should contact AFW directly rather than order by capacity rating alone.

Storage Tanks and Float Controls

A storage tank separates membrane production from periods of peak demand, so the system isn't limited to producing water only as fast as it's used. AFW's 200-gallon RO storage tank pairs with a tank float valve for automatic up/off control, starting and stopping the system as tank level changes. Whole-house RO storage setups typically also need a delivery pump to bring stored water back up to usable pressure.

Booster Pumps

When incoming pressure or distribution demand requires it, a booster pump helps deliver water from storage and maintain pressure throughout the building. Not every commercial RO installation needs a booster pump; whether one is required depends on incoming pressure, elevation, distance, and building layout. Check out our collection of pumps and controls at Commercial Products.

How to Choose a Commercial RO Water Filter System

Follow the steps below to choose the best commercial RO Water Filter system:

Step 1: Test the Feed Water

Before selecting a system, test for TDS, hardness, iron, manganese, chlorine or chloramine, pH, turbidity, silica (where relevant), and microbiological concerns (where relevant). Feed-water testing is what actually determines membrane selection and pre-treatment needs, not assumptions based on municipal versus well source alone. AFW's Water Test Kits are a starting point for anyone who hasn't tested recently.

Step 2: Calculate Daily and Peak Demand

Daily production (GPD) isn't the same measurement as peak flow. A system rated for 1,000 gallons per day may still fall short during a short, high-demand period without enough storage and distribution capacity to bridge the gap. Plan around gallons per day, gallons per hour, peak flow, storage capacity, operating hours, and recovery rate together, not any single number in isolation.

Step 3: Select Pre-Treatment

Common pre-treatment stages include sediment filtration for suspended particles, carbon filtration for chlorine and taste/odor, water softening for hardness and scale control, and iron and sulfur treatment for well water. Specialty treatment may be needed where source-water testing identifies additional contaminants.

Step 4: Plan Reject-Water Disposal

Commercial RO produces a concentrate (reject) stream alongside purified water. Every installation needs an appropriate drain connection or recovery plan that complies with local requirements before the system goes in.

Step 5: Confirm Pressure and Electrical Requirements

Confirm feed-water pressure, pump requirements, electrical supply, drain connection, storage-tank location, distribution-pump requirements, and available service space before finalizing a system; these determine installation feasibility as much as capacity does.

Commercial RO for City Water and Well Water

Listed below are our city and well water:

Municipal Water

Municipal water commonly carries chlorine, chloramine, hardness, and elevated TDS. Carbon pre-treatment is often necessary to protect the RO membrane from chlorine exposure, particularly on systems running continuous or high-volume flow.

Well Water

Well water may carry iron, manganese, sulfur, sediment, hardness, or low pH, all of which can shorten membrane life if left untreated. AFW's Iron and Sulfur Filters and Sediment Filter Systems cover the most common well-water pre-treatment needs ahead of a commercial RO system.

Not Sure Which Commercial RO System Fits Your Facility?

Test your water and contact AFW for help selecting production capacity, pre-treatment, storage, and replacement components.