Systems and methods for controlling product water mineral content and alkalinity

A water treatment system comprising:

• an inlet in fluid communication with a source of inlet water;
• a pump in fluid communication with the inlet;
• a membrane element designed to remove solutes from the inlet water, wherein the membrane element is in fluid communication with the pump via a first line, and the membrane element produces a membrane permeate water imparted with a first concentration of solutes and a membrane retentate water imparted with a second concentration of solutes that is greater than the first concentration of solutes,
• a membrane permeate line designed to carry the membrane permeate water produced by the membrane element;
• an outlet feed line in fluid communication with the membrane permeate line and an outlet;
• a remineralization system in fluid communication with the membrane element, the remineralization system positioned and located downstream of the membrane element;
• and
• a first sensor in communication with the outlet feed line, wherein the first sensor measures a TDS concentration of the membrane permeate water,
• wherein an output water stream provided from the outlet is imparted with a third concentration of solutes.

A method of treating water, the method comprising:

• providing a water treatment system including a membrane element and a prefiltration unit positioned upstream of the membrane element;
• passing inlet water through the prefiltration unit to produce a prefiltered water;
• filtering the prefiltered water with the membrane element to produce a permeate water stream and a retentate water stream;
• providing the permeate water stream to a remineralization system;
• sensing, via a first sensor, a first characteristic of the permeate water stream;
• determining an action based on the first characteristic;
• and
• initiating the action, wherein the action comprises at least one of:
• maintaining a normal operating condition of the water treatment system;
• adding a first amount of a mineral solution to the permeate water stream via a remineralization pump;
• passing the permeate water stream through a remineralization system;
• adding a second amount of the prefiltered water to the permeate water stream via a blend back valve;
• and
• providing the permeate water stream to an outlet feed line and subsequent end user.