How a Commercial ISI RO Plant Works (As per BIS Standards – India)
- cupnoodles7tv
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Clean and safe drinking water is a basic necessity, and in commercial and industrial settings, maintaining water quality is both a responsibility and a regulatory requirement. In India, Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plants are commonly used in hotels, factories, hospitals, and bottling units to ensure water purity. These plants must adhere to standards laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — particularly IS 10500:2012, which specifies drinking water quality.
In this blog, we’ll break down how a commercial RO plant works and how it complies with BIS norms in India.
What is a Commercial RO Plant?
A commercial RO plant is a water purification system designed to remove contaminants, ions, unwanted molecules, and large particles from water using a semi-permeable membrane. These plants are typically used in:
Water packaging and bottling units
Food and beverage industries
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Schools, hospitals, and hotels
The system is larger and more robust than domestic RO units and is built to handle thousands of liters per day.
Working Process of a Commercial RO Plant
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a commercial RO plant works:
1. Pre-treatment (Raw Water Inlet)
Water from a borewell, river, or municipal supply is first passed through pre-treatment filters:
Pressure Sand Filter (PSF) – removes suspended particles, sand, and turbidity.
Activated Carbon Filter (ACF) – removes chlorine, organic matter, odor, and color.
2. Dosing System
Chemical dosing helps prevent scaling and microbial growth:
Antiscalant dosing – prevents membrane fouling.
pH correction (optional) – adjusts the pH to an optimal level.
Chlorine dosing – ensures microbial disinfection.
3. Micron Filtration
Water is passed through micron filters (usually 5 and 1 micron) to remove fine particles before reaching the membrane.
4. High-Pressure Pump
A high-pressure pump is used to feed water into the RO membrane at pressure levels of 10–20 bar (150–300 psi), required for the reverse osmosis process.
5. RO Membrane Separation
This is the heart of the RO system. Water is pushed through semi-permeable membranes that remove:
Dissolved salts (TDS)
Heavy metals
Microbes and pathogens
Fluoride, arsenic, and other contaminants
The output is:
Permeate (product water) – purified water
Reject (brine) – wastewater with concentrated contaminants
6. Post-Treatment
UV Sterilizer / Ozonation – optional disinfection for microbial safety
Mineral dosing – essential minerals are added back if required (to meet BIS taste and health norms)
7. Storage and Distribution
Treated water is stored in a hygienic tank (usually food-grade SS or HDPE) and distributed as per usage – filling lines, taps, or pipelines.
BIS Standards for RO Treated Water in India
According to IS 10500:2012 (specification for drinking water), the following key parameters must be met:
Note: BIS compliance is mandatory for packaged drinking water units (as per IS 14543:2016 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428:2005 for packaged natural mineral water).
RO Plant Maintenance and Monitoring (As per BIS Norms)
To ensure BIS compliance, regular testing and maintenance are crucial:
Monthly water testing from a NABL-accredited lab
Membrane cleaning and replacement
Daily log sheets for pH, TDS, and chlorine levels
Calibration of dosing pumps and flow meters
Final Thoughts
A commercial RO plant is a highly efficient and scalable solution for water purification. However, BIS compliance is not just a technical requirement — it ensures that the water is safe, healthy, and legally fit for human consumption. Whether you’re setting up a new RO unit or upgrading an existing one, aligning your system with BIS standards helps build trust and ensures regulatory approval.
Need help setting up or maintaining your commercial RO plant? Contact us today for customized solutions, BIS compliance support, and end-to-end water treatment services.
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