FAQs

Yes. CITOR has extensive operational track record and can provide references or discuss representative projects (subject to client confidentiality). CITOR can arrange direct client references, site visits to operating installations, and written testimonials relevant to your application.

CITOR provides comprehensive after-sales support ensuring long-term system reliability:

• Immediate post-installation performance monitoring and operator support
• Ongoing technical support via phone and email
• Preventive maintenance programs (client-performed or contracted)
• Spare parts availability with rapid dispatch
• System upgrades and modifications as requirements change
• Long-term engineering support throughout system life

Relationship continues well beyond installation—CITOR maintains technical documentation and support for systems decades old.

Yes. We welcome facility visits by appointment. Contact CITOR at 0402 157 711 or info@citor.com.au to schedule a visit.

Standard systems: 2–6 weeks from contact to commissioning

Custom systems: 2–16 weeks from contact to commissioning

Contact Information:

Phone: 0402 157 711
Email: info@citor.com.au

The Process:

1. Initial Contact: Provide water source details, capacity requirements, application context, and timeline
2. Preliminary Assessment: CITOR reviews requirements and recommends path forward
3. Water Analysis (if required): Laboratory testing for unknown water sources
4. System Specification & Quotation: Detailed engineering spec and pricing
5. Order Placement: Purchase order and deposit
6. Manufacturing: System production with progress updates
7. Delivery & Commissioning: Installation support and system startup

12-Month Manufacturing Warranty covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. Includes frame, pumps, pressure vessels, electrical components, control systems, piping, and fittings. The warranty is subject to commissioning and operation as per CITOR factory requirements.

Written performance data specifies production capacity, product water quality, recovery rate, and operating parameters. Factory testing is performed before dispatch with results documented.

CITOR serves clients across industries where reliable water supply is critical and conventional infrastructure is unavailable or inadequate.

Primary Industry Sectors:

Marine & Maritime, Mining & Resources, Tourism & Hospitality, Oil & Gas, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Government & Defence, and Industrial & Manufacturing.

Yes. CITOR exports reverse osmosis systems internationally and has installations across the Asia-Pacific region, Middle East, and beyond.

CITOR provides complete project support for international installations including engineering, manufacturing, export documentation, international freight, electrical compatibility for various voltage/frequency standards, on-site commissioning, and ongoing technical support.

Existing International Presence:

CITOR systems currently operate in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Mauritius, South Pacific islands, Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Europe across various commercial and industrial applications.

All CITOR reverse osmosis systems are designed and engineered using components sourced from international manufacturers at our purpose-built facility in Perth, Western Australia.

Direct oversight of every manufacturing stage ensures consistent quality standards. Clients are welcome to visit the facility by appointment to discuss projects, review systems under construction, or inspect manufacturing processes.

CITOR Desalinators was established in 1987, providing over 35 years of continuous operation in reverse osmosis equipment engineering and manufacturing.

Over three decades, CITOR has designed and manufactured thousands of reverse osmosis systems, developed engineering expertise across seawater, brackish water, and specialized applications, and built relationships with clients across Australia, Asia-Pacific, and internationally.

CITOR offers several distinct advantages as an Australian manufacturer:

Direct Manufacturer Relationship

When you purchase from CITOR, you're dealing directly with the engineers who designed your system and the technicians who built it. There are no distributors or middlemen—just direct access to technical expertise and decision-makers. This means faster response times, better understanding of your specific requirements, and genuine accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Australian Engineering for Australian Conditions

CITOR systems are engineered specifically for Australian environmental conditions: high temperatures, corrosive coastal atmospheres, remote installations with limited infrastructure, and variable power quality. While imported systems are designed for northern hemisphere conditions and generic applications, CITOR equipment is proven in Australia's harshest environments from the Pilbara to offshore platforms.

Perth-Based Manufacturing & Support

Complete manufacturing capability in Perth ensures quality control, enables custom modifications, and provides local technical support.

35+ Years Operational Track Record

Since 1987, thousands of CITOR systems have operated across commercial and recreational marine, mine sites, resorts, hospitality and various remote locations. Many CITOR systems installed in the 1990s remain operational demonstrating genuine long-term durability.

Comprehensive Lifecycle Support

CITOR maintains technical documentation, spare parts inventory, and engineering support for systems decades old. Whilst CITOR has evolved and modernised over the years, the fundamental and proven product has remained much the same. This enables a reliable supply of spare parts for the lifetime of the equipment. We support systems throughout their operational life because our reputation depends on your long-term success.

Family-Owned Stability

As a family-owned Western Australian business, CITOR takes a long-term view of client relationships. The same business structure that built systems 20 years ago remain in place today.

Yes. Custom reverse osmosis system design is a core CITOR capability. Standard models suit many applications, but unique requirements benefit from engineered-to-specification systems. Custom systems most commonly relate to space restrictions or component layouts for which standard units are not suitable.

Proper system sizing requires analysis of several factors:

1. Daily Water Demand

Typical consumption guidelines:

• Marine vessels: 40–80 litres per person per day
• Mining camps: 100–200 litres per person per day (includes showers, laundry, kitchen)
• Resort facilities: 200–400 litres per person per day (includes pools, landscaping, amenities)
• Industrial applications: Project-specific based on process requirements

2. Operating Schedule

Systems don't need to operate 24 hours daily. Many installations run 8–12 hours per day to meet daily requirements, however all CITOR units are rated for continuous duty.

3. Source Water Quality

Water chemistry affects production rate. High-salinity sources require higher pressure and may have lower recovery rates. Challenging chemistry may require pre-treatment that can foul membranes, damage components, and reduce effective capacity.

4. Storage Capacity

Most installations include product water storage tanks to buffer supply and demand variations. Adequate storage reduces required system oversizing and provides backup during maintenance.

CITOR engineers work with clients to analyse these factors and specify appropriate system capacity.

Chemical use in reverse osmosis systems is minimal but important for optimal performance:

Anti-Scalant Dosing:

Prevents precipitation of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, and other minerals that can form scale on membrane surfaces. Anti-scalant is continuously dosed at very low concentrations (typically 2–5 PPM) into feed water before the RO membranes.

pH Adjustment:

Occasionally required to optimise membrane performance or prevent scale formation. Achieved through acid dosing (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid) or alkaline dosing (sodium hydroxide, lime).

Chlorine/Oxidant Removal:

Membranes are damaged by chlorine and oxidising agents. If present in source water (municipal supplies, surface water treatment), removal through activated carbon filtration or other methods is required.

Membrane Cleaner (1 kg supplied with each system):

Citric Acid for removing organic fouling, biological growth, and general accumulation.

Membrane Sterilizer (1 kg supplied with each system):

Sodium Metabisulphite for removing mineral scaling and inorganic deposits. Also has biocidal properties.

Cleaning frequency depends on source water quality and operating conditions. Performance monitoring indicates when cleaning is necessary (increased operating pressure, decreased product water quality, reduced production rate).

Disinfection:

UV sterilisation (no chemicals) or chlorination (minimal dosing) may be used as final treatment stage depending on distribution system and local regulations.

CITOR provides specification for all required chemicals, recommended suppliers, and handling procedures with each system.

Membrane service life varies significantly based on source water quality and maintenance practices:

• Well-maintained systems with good source water: 4–7 years
• Average conditions with proper maintenance: 3–5 years
• Challenging chemistry or inadequate maintenance: 1–3 years

Membrane performance gradually declines over time. Replacement is indicated when product water quality degrades below acceptable levels or when required operating pressure increases significantly to maintain output.

Proper maintenance ensures long-term reliability and consistent performance. CITOR systems are designed for straightforward maintenance by operators without specialised training. Please note that in practice, maintenance schedules differ — they are primarily dependent on hours of use and the environment in which the equipment is operating. Below is a guide to a top tier maintenance schedule.

Daily Operations:

• Visual inspection of operating parameters (pressure, flow rate, salinity)
• Verification of automatic fresh water flushing cycles
• General observation for leaks or unusual operation

Weekly Maintenance:

• Clean pre-filters or replace filter cartridges (depending on source water quality)
• Inspect and clean intake screens (seawater applications)
• Record operating parameters for trend monitoring

Monthly Maintenance:

• Detailed inspection of all system components
• Check and adjust chemical dosing systems (if fitted)
• Inspect pump seals and mechanical components
• Review recorded data and performance trends

Quarterly or Semi-Annual Maintenance:

• Clean RO membranes using specified cleaning procedures (if applicable)
• Service pumps according to manufacturer recommendations
• Comprehensive system inspection and testing

Annual or Biennial Maintenance:

• Major component servicing or replacement based on wear
• Complete system performance evaluation
• Seasonal preventative maintenance and component replacement if required
• Pressure vessel inspection (if required by certification)

CITOR does not typically serve:

• Residential point-of-use systems (small under-sink units)
• Small-scale domestic applications (better served by retail systems)
• Applications requiring continuous engineering modification (better suited to custom projects)

CITOR reverse osmosis systems are engineered for demanding applications across multiple sectors in Australia and internationally.

Marine & Maritime:

• Commercial fishing vessels: Reliable freshwater for extended voyages
• Superyachts and recreational vessels: High-quality drinking water and galley supply
• Commercial shipping: Crew quarters and onboard systems
• Offshore service vessels: Support vessels for oil & gas operations
• Marine research vessels: Potable and process water for extended operations
• Recreational vessels: Reliable freshwater for recreational purposes

Mining & Resources:

• Remote mine sites: Camp water supply for personnel facilities
• Exploration camps: Portable or containerised systems for temporary operations
• Processing operations: Process water for ore processing and dust suppression
• Fly-in fly-out camps: High-capacity systems for large workforce accommodation

Offshore Oil & Gas:

• Offshore platforms: Potable water for personnel
• Production facilities: Process water for operations
• Drilling rigs: Accommodation and operational water supply
• Emergency backup systems: Redundant water supply for safety

Island Resorts & Tourism:

• Remote island resorts: Complete water supply for guest facilities and operations
• Eco-tourism lodges: Off-grid water independence
• Coastal resort complexes: Supplementary or primary water supply
• Marine park facilities: Sustainable water for remote locations

Agriculture & Horticulture:

• Bore water treatment: Converting saline groundwater for irrigation and livestock
• Greenhouse operations: Controlled-quality water for hydroponic systems
• Remote farm properties: Drinking water from brackish bores or dams

Industrial & Manufacturing:

• Process water: Manufacturing processes requiring controlled water quality
• Cooling systems: High-purity water preventing scale and corrosion
• Boiler feed water: Demineralised water for steam generation
• Food and beverage: Process water meeting hygiene standards

Remote Communities & Government:

• Indigenous community water supply: Reliable potable water for remote settlements
• Defence installations: Water security for military facilities
• Border protection: Remote station water supply
• National park facilities: Low-maintenance systems for visitor facilities

Emergency & Relief:

• Disaster response: Portable systems for emergency water supply
• Temporary settlements: Rapid deployment for refugee or disaster relief
• Emergency backup: Municipal water supply redundancy
• Military deployments: Field water purification for operations

Reverse osmosis does NOT effectively remove:

• Dissolved gases (hydrogen sulfide, methane, radon): Pass through membranes dissolved in water
• Very small uncharged molecules: Some volatile organic compounds
• Tastes and odours from dissolved gases: Require additional treatment (degassing, carbon filtration)

For comprehensive contaminant removal from complex sources, CITOR designs integrated treatment systems combining reverse osmosis with pre-treatment (iron removal, degassing) and post-treatment (carbon polishing, UV sterilisation) as required.

CITOR reverse osmosis systems produce water meeting or exceeding international drinking water standards.

From seawater source (typically 35,000–45,000 PPM TDS):

• Product water TDS: 150–500 PPM (97–99% reduction)
• Chloride: <100 PPM
• Sodium: <100 PPM
• Calcium/Magnesium: <30 PPM
• Bacterial content: >99.9% reduction
• Turbidity: <0.1 NTU
• pH: 6.0–7.5 (before post-treatment adjustment)

From brackish water source (typically 3,000–10,000 PPM TDS):

• Product water TDS: 50–200 PPM (95–98% reduction)
• Hardness: <10 PPM as CaCO₃
• Iron: <0.01 PPM
• Specific contaminant removal based on source chemistry

CITOR reverse osmosis systems are designed and manufactured to Australian and international standards:

Electrical Standards:

AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules): Australian Standard for electrical installations.

• All electrical work complies with AS/NZS 3000 requirements
• Certified by licensed electricians
• Compliance documentation provided

AS/NZS 3008 (Cable Selection): Cable sizing and protection standards.

AS/NZS 60204 (Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment): Industrial machinery electrical safety.

• Emergency stop systems
• Safety interlocks
• Electrical protection devices

IP Rating: Electrical enclosure protection against dust and water ingress.

• Control panels: Minimum IP54 (dust protected, splash resistant)
• Outdoor installations: IP65 or higher specifications available

Mechanical Standards:

AS/NZS 1210 (Pressure Equipment): Unfired pressure vessels.

• Pressure vessels designed and manufactured to AS/NZS 1210 where required
• Design verification and documentation
• Pressure testing and certification

AS 4041 (Pressure Piping): Pressure piping design and fabrication.

For most applications, RO desalination demonstrates favourable environmental performance compared to alternatives when full life cycle is considered, particularly where:

• Alternative is water trucking over significant distances
• Groundwater resources are limited or over-allocated
• Bottled water consumption would otherwise occur

CITOR systems can be specified for enhanced sustainability:

• Renewable energy compatible designs
• Energy-efficient components and configurations
• Minimal chemical dosing through optimised pre-treatment
• Long service life reducing embodied energy amortisation
• Locally manufactured equipment reducing transport emissions

Yes, with appropriate environmental protection. CITOR systems can operate outdoors when:

• Enclosed in weather-protected housing (equipment shelter, plant room)
• Protected from direct weather exposure (rain, hail, extreme sun)
• Provided with temperature management (ventilation, cooling, heating as required)
• Electrical components meet IP rating requirements for environment

CITOR can specify environmental protection requirements based on installation location, climate data, and site-specific conditions. Inadequate environmental protection significantly shortens equipment life and increases maintenance requirements.

System footprint varies by capacity and configuration:

Compact Models (2,000–5,000 L/day):

• Dimensions: Approximately 1200mm (L) × 400–500mm (W) × 470–1000mm (H)
• Weight: 52–58 kg (dry weight)
• Mounting: Floor-mounted, can be skid-mounted for vessel installations
• Clearance required: 500mm all sides for maintenance access

Medium Models (10,000–20,000 L/day):

• Dimensions: Approximately 1500–2750mm (L) × 650mm (W) × 1000mm (H)
• Weight: 270–300 kg (dry weight, excluding water in system)
• Mounting: Floor-mounted on level surface
• Clearance required: 800mm access for membrane removal and servicing

Large Models (30,000+ L/day):

• Dimensions: 2750+mm (L) × 800+mm (W) × 1200+mm (H)
• Weight: 550+ kg depending on configuration
• Mounting: Requires structural support for weight
• Clearance required: 1000mm+ for maintenance and component access

CITOR can provide installation drawings and space planning for specific applications. Custom configurations (vertical mounting, split systems, containerised installations) available where standard footprints don't suit site constraints.

Power requirements vary by system capacity:

Small Systems (2,000–5,000 L/day):

• Single-phase 240V AC or Three-phase 415V AC options available
• Power consumption: 1.8–2.2 kW for standard models
• Standard Australian electrical connection
• Can operate from generator supply (appropriate sizing required)

Medium Systems (10,000–20,000 L/day):

• Three-phase 415V AC (standard)
• Power consumption: 5.5–7.5 kW
• Commercial electrical supply required
• Generator operation: Industrial-grade generator required

Large Systems (30,000+ L/day):

• Three-phase 415V AC
• Power consumption: 11+ kW depending on capacity
• Industrial electrical infrastructure
• Energy recovery devices available for systems >50,000 L/day to reduce power consumption