Air charged tanks require much more waste water. An air-charged tank when completely empty is very efficient wit a near 1:1 ratio of permeate water to waste water. But as the tank begins to fill, the air pressure against the product water increases and this pressure transfers back to the membrane. By the time the tank nears completion, the ratio may climb to 1:7. It also slows production considerably where the last 15% can take 7 times longer to produce than the first 15%. WOW tanks refill immediately after each use keeping the tanks full at all times. This factor alone makes it a very attractive benefit.
The WOW design has virtually no back pressure and the membrane has no restriction. This is why it typically produces 35-45 gpd against typical ROs that produce 8-15 gpd.
The "huge" possibility of water contamination is actually quite remote. Unless the tank is damaged due to freezing or some piercing instrument, I have never heard of the very thick liner corrupting. Agreed, Kinetico's K5 uses air-charged tanks when using its bacteria/virus filter to absolutely eliminate the chance. But, any other RO must never be used on a water that is micro-biologically unsafe.
The WOW design has virtually no back pressure and the membrane has no restriction. This is why it typically produces 35-45 gpd against typical ROs that produce 8-15 gpd.
The "huge" possibility of water contamination is actually quite remote. Unless the tank is damaged due to freezing or some piercing instrument, I have never heard of the very thick liner corrupting. Agreed, Kinetico's K5 uses air-charged tanks when using its bacteria/virus filter to absolutely eliminate the chance. But, any other RO must never be used on a water that is micro-biologically unsafe.