What is concentrate water?

Concentrate water is a byproduct of reverse osmosis (RO) systems used for water treatment. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities and minerals from water, resulting in two streams: purified water and concentrated reject water. This reject water, often referred to as concentrate water, contains a higher concentration of dissolved solids and contaminants than the original source water. Concentrate water is typically discharged into the environment or treated further for reuse, depending on regulatory requirements. Concentrate water can pose environmental challenges if not managed properly, such as contributing to the salinization of soil or contaminating water sources. However, with appropriate management and treatment processes, concentrate water can be utilized as a resource for agricultural irrigation, industrial processes, or even drinking water, thereby reducing water waste and improving global water security.