Question:
Reverse Osmosis systems are of no use to people whose water supplycomes from a cistern: RO systems -waste- as much water as theyprovide on the output side. What does water in a cistern have to do with reducing .... oh, let's useNitrate as an example? RO removes/reduces Nitrate even if the water is from acistern but that's not all a cistern source of water can contain. Arseniccomes to mind too, along with other nasties.

And here we go again with the water use thing... name me a product or servicethat doesn't USE water in the process or to produce the materials needed forthe product or service. If ya can that is. But when it comes to making goodwater we seem to think we shouldn't use much water to do it.

Answer: IMHO a filtration system that includes filtration down to the .5-1micron level (ie several stages from classes 6 down to 1) will purifywater to 'sanitary' without dumping an equal amount down the drain.

In my part of the country (Northern Kentucky) it's normal to see atruckload of water being poured into an empty cistern. A purificationprocess that wastes up to half of that water is wasteful.

If most of the wells in your area are contaminated with coliformbacteria (1) they are improperly sealed from surface watercontamination or (2) you're drilling wells too close to the septicsystems.

A good well into a good aquifer should NOT be contaminated; keepingthe aquifer clean is a major challenge we are facing.

Excessive use of wasteful processes (ie RO) and wasteful uses (iewatering lawns) should be restricted or prohibited.