Abstract: An apparatus and method whereby after a reverse-osmosis water purifier system has been shut down, the first quantity of water, which emanates from the reverse-osmosis filter, does not flow through the pure water storage tank but instead to the drain. Therefore, the water in the reverse-osmosis filter, and which has become contaminated as the result of standing in the filter so that a substantial amount of osmosis can occur, does not contaminate the pure water in the storage tank or system but instead is discarded.

Abstract: An economical and commercially practical reverse-osmosis water purifier system which has no back pressure acting against the semipermeable membrane, so that the filtering rate is maximized. Furthermore, the supply of tap water to the system is shut off automatically as soon as the pure water storage tank is full, use of water thus being greatly reduced. These, and other major advantages, are achieved despite the fact that there is only a single tube extending to the faucet, automatic ice-maker, refrigerated drinking fountain or other point of use.The system uses rugged, long-lasting and economical diaphragm valves, which eliminates the need for sliding seals. Thus, it becomes highly practical to injection-mold the valves of plastic.The long-standing major problem of plugging or fouling of the constricted outlet for waste water is eliminated at low cost and with very little use of water. What water is used provides not only cleaning of the constriction region but also a partial flushing of the filter membrane.