An 18-month pilot study conducted at the Orange County Water District evaluated ROTEC’s Flow-Reversal Reverse Osmosis (FR-RO) technology for municipal potable reuse. The system achieved 90% water recovery while maintaining stable membrane performance, strong salt rejection, and extended intervals between cleanings. Compared to conventional RO, FR-RO reduced membrane fouling across stages and proved to be a cost-effective solution for retrofitting existing RO systems to boost recovery and performance.

The study also tested FR-RO as a brine concentrator, but rapid membrane fouling limited long-term viability in that configuration. However, for primary RO treatment, FR-RO delivered reliable, high-recovery performance, even with higher salinity feedwater. With lower cleaning frequency and strong water quality outcomes, ROTEC’s FR-RO technology offers a scalable, retrofit-ready solution for utilities looking to advance potable water reuse and reduce concentrate waste.