What Type & Size Water Purifier Does Your Restaurant Need? RO vs UV Cost Guide
RO vs UV water purifier comparison for restaurants: capacity calculation, installation costs, maintenance and FSSAI compliance requirements in India.
Quick Answer
Restaurants serving 50–100 covers daily need 50–100 LPH RO capacity. RO costs ₹25,000–80,000 installed plus ₹3,000–5,000/month maintenance. UV-only works for low-TDS municipal water at half the cost. FSSAI expects potable water for cooking, ice, and drinking — document your purification system.
RO vs UV: Which Fits Your Water Source
RO (Reverse Osmosis): required for high-TDS borewell or tanker water. Removes dissolved salts, heavy metals. Wastes 30–40% water as reject — plan drainage.
UV: sufficient for municipal corporation water with TDS under 300 ppm. Lower cost, less waste, but no desalination.
Sizing Capacity for Restaurant Volume
Rule of thumb: 0.5–1 liter purified water per cover for cooking, drinking, and ice combined. A 100-cover restaurant needs 50–100 LPH peak capacity.
- Small cafe (30 covers): 25–50 LPH RO — ₹15,000–30,000
- Mid restaurant (80 covers): 50–100 LPH RO — ₹35,000–60,000
- Large kitchen + banquet: 100–250 LPH commercial RO — ₹80,000–2 lakh
- Annual AMC: ₹4,000–8,000 for filter changes every 3–6 months
FSSAI and Inspection Readiness
Keep AMC receipts, filter change log, and water test reports (TDS, bacterial) on file. Inspectors check potable water used in food preparation — not just customer glasses.
Free Filtered Water as Customer Perk
Many restaurants offer complimentary filtered water instead of bottled water — saves ₹15–30 per cover in packaging and builds goodwill. Mention "filtered drinking water available" on your menu.
Update menu notes instantly with DineCard when you switch from bottled to filtered service — customers scanning your QR menu see current amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RO mandatory for restaurants in India?
Not legally mandatory everywhere, but FSSAI requires potable water for food prep. If your source TDS exceeds 500 ppm, RO is effectively required for compliance and taste consistency.
How often should restaurant RO filters be changed?
Sediment and carbon filters every 3–6 months; RO membrane every 18–24 months depending on usage and TDS. Skipping AMC causes foul taste and failed inspections.
Should I mention filtered water on my menu?
Yes — it signals hygiene and justifies skipping bottled water charges. DineCard lets you add amenity notes to your menu footer and update them anytime from your phone.
Update menu amenities in one tap
Add filtered water, service notes, and policy updates to your DineCard menu instantly. ₹99/month, 14-day free trial.
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