FAQs

Ozone Water Purification - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page

To make ozone, you need oxygen.  Ozone generators that do not carry the "Power of EO3®" designation are based on older technologies that use oxygen that is in the air that we breathe.

Since it is still a gas, to dissolve it into water means the use of a bubbler, like a fish tank air stone.  Most of that ozone is going right into the air that you are breathing, and that can irritatate your lungs.  It is just not an efficient or safe way to dissolve ozone into water.

Our ozone generators use the "O" in H2O, the water itself, to make ozone, and that ozone is dissolved directly into the water. This hugely reduces the ozone off-gassing. Technically, it is called an electrolytic ozone generator. We know that is a real mouthfull, we just called it "The Power of EO3™" and very few companies make this kind of ozone generator.  It is the the gold standard for making ozonated water, which can be used to not only purify the water, (it will make your water smell and taste better), or it can be used to purify things, like fruits and veggies. Thanks for your interest!

 

Don't have time to read more ?

Watch this (September 2021) 5 minute presentation by our CEO Yana DeMyer as she explains the technology to a crowd at the Studio 1915 Pitch Night at Georgia Pacific Technical Center. 

Or, listen to this iHeart Radio Podcast with Eric Paulsen when the company was just getting started.

 

or, you can watch some of our YouTube videos:

 

OZONE QUICK FACTS:

 

In 1997 the FDA approved the use of ozone as an antimicrobial agent with indirect contact with foods.

In 2002, the FDA approved ozone for use on food contact areas and directly on food with its "Generally Regarded as Safe" (GRAS) designation.

Today, the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) identifies aqueous ozone (ozone dissolved in water) as a substance that is allowed for use in organic crop and livestock production.

 

FDA      USDA

 

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ozone
(Published by the EPA, about using ozone to treat wastewater

Frequently Asked Questions:

I didn't get a printed instruction manual or even warranty paperwork with my product!


We are a small company that is still working hard to get things right.  We found that, as we sell product, new questions come up all the time. We try to improve how we explain how it is supposed to be used or maintained.  Our printed instructions kept getting outdated!!  By switching to all digital instructions, we could make changes without wasting a lot of paper.  We do understand this isn't ideal, but please navigate to these links to find what you are looking for:

O-Pen user manual, Ozo-Pod 10 user manual, GO-3 user manual  as far as registerig for your warranty, please navigate to our warranty resigtration page, here.  As always, we promise to answer any question with a real live human being from Wisconsin, as soon as possible. 

Call 855-4-water-5 for help M-F 9-5 (central time) ,or anytime really,  and leave a message.  We promise to call you back.  That is 855-492-8375.

 

What is Ozone?

Generated from sunlight, ultraviolet rays and lightning, ozone is often referred to as nature’s disinfectant. In fact, many people notice that ozone has a distinctive sweet odor, similar to the smell after a summer rainstorm likely because lightning is one way ozone is produced in nature. Ozone is a natural way of controlling bacteria growth in our environment. Ozone has been proven to have a much higher disinfection potential compared to all other disinfectants available for use today. It can effectively kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, including those causing food spoilage or human diseases.

 What is the chemical make-up of ozone?

A molecule of “normal” oxygen is comprised of two atoms of oxygen bonded together (O2). Ozone (O3) is created by adding a third oxygen atom to the oxygen molecule. As the newly formed ozone molecule is used up, (either by attacking impurities or through normal degradation), it is changed back to normal oxygen, leaving no harmful by-products in your water. Ozone has been proven to have a much higher disinfection potential compared to all other disinfectants available for use today. Ozone is completely natural and occurs in the environment every day.

 Is using ozone technology safe?

Yes. Unlike other water treatment processes, oxidation is a natural, chemical-free process that produces zero wastewater and leaves behind oxygen molecules like the ones in the air we breathe. Thousands of cities worldwide including London, Moscow, Paris, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee, to name a few, have been using ozone water treatment systems for many years. Most top water bottling companies also rely heavily on ozone technology to disinfect bottles and provide clean, safe water for consumers.

 How is ozone different from chemical treatments?

Ozone destroys microorganisms instantly and effectively without leaving harmful residue in treated food or processing water. Therefore, ozone is safer and environmentally friendlier than most other antimicrobials. Ozone kills bacteria faster than chlorine.

 Where can ozone water treatment be used most effectively?

Ozone treatment can be used for a wide variety of applications. Commercial uses of ozone include purification of drinking water, sterilization of medical instruments and devices, decontamination of fresh produce, and food preservation. Ozone also is useful in removing odors, and not just in drinking water).

 How does ozone work? 

 The third oxygen atom of ozone makes it extremely reactive. This atom readily attaches itself to other molecules. When contaminants such as odors, bacteria or viruses make contact with ozone, their chemical structure is changed. As more ozone attacks the remaining compounds, the odor is eventually destroyed. This process is called oxidation. Ozone essentially reverts back to oxygen after it is used. This makes it a very environmentally friendly oxidant.

 How is ozone produced? 

Before Roving Blue, there were basically only two methods of producing ozone: using ultra-violet light and a process called corona discharge. Corona discharge creates ozone by applying high voltage to a metallic grid sandwiched between two dielectrics. The high voltage passes through the dielectric to a grounded screen/plate and in the process, creates ozone from oxygen present in the chamber. 

Ultra-violet (UV) light creates ozone when a wavelength at 254 nm (nano-meters) hits an oxygen atom. Both processes split oxygen molecules into single oxygen atoms (O). These atoms combine with another oxygen molecule (O2) to form ozone (O3).

Roving Blue’s technology only works with water, and is called “Electrolytic Ozone Production”. Since that’s quite a mouthful, so we just call it “EO3”.  Our ozone generator uses a low-voltage electric current to split the water molecules to make ozone. Because the ozone is directly dissolved into the water, there is no need for bubblers or contact chambers to get the ozone into the water. This makes our method very compact and efficient, and greatly reduces the amount of ozone that gets into the air.

 How long does ozone last? 

As soon as ozone is formed in the generator and dispersed in the water, it will start to revert back to oxygen. This step occurs by several processes including the following: Oxidation reactions with an organic material such as odors or micro-organisms. Reactions with bacteria etc., consumes ozone by oxidation reactions. Additionally, ozone breaks down thermally. 

Higher temperatures destroy ozone quicker than lower temperatures. The ozone that remains is referred to as residual ozone. Residual ozone will return to oxygen quickly. Within 30 minutes, it will equal to half its starting level. After each subsequent 30-minute period there would be half as much residual ozone left at the end of the period as was present at the beginning of the period. This is similar to a geometric progression of 16;8;4;2;1. In practice the half-life is usually less than 30 minutes due to temperature, dust, and other contaminants in the water. Therefore, ozone, while very powerful, doesn't last long. It does its job and then disappears back into safe oxygen.

Can I put the ozonated water in a spray bottle and use it as a disinfectant spray, like on counter tops or cutting boards?

Yes you can!  In fact a lot of people do this.  We would say it lasts about 15 minutes.  Best way to tell is with a "sniff test", if you can still smell the ozone, its is strong enough to kill germs.  Welcome to the world of chemical free cleaning!

 Will the odor come back? 

No. If ozone is applied properly it destroys the source of the odor. Treatment times may vary depending on the strength of the odor but 98% of ozone treatments are successful. In the case of mildew the odor will return if you are unable to get rid of the moisture that contributes to the growth of mildew.

How does ozone kill bacteria? 

Ozone kills bacteria by destroying the cell wall of the bacteria. This is called "lysis". Once the cell wall is destroyed, the bacteria will be unable to survive.

What is TDS? 

This is a measurement of charged ions, including minerals, dissolved in water, expressed as mg/L (milligrams per liter) or as parts per million (ppm). TDS is not a measure of pollution or contamination, since most of the dissolved solids are made up of naturally found calcium and magnesium minerals. TDS is only used as an indication of aesthetics (i.e. spotting, taste, etc.). In general, higher TDS waters (also known as “mineral water”) are popular and taste great. According to the best-selling book Blue Zones, a common point in all long-lived cultures is the high mineral content of their water (around 200 mg/l). There is no doubt that mineral water is healthy for us. We obtain the minerals we need from food and water, and what our bodies do not use is expelled. Some people are led to believe that minerals in tap water can cause kidney stones – this is false. Mineral water (high TDS) has actually been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stones¹, cause favorable changes in pH, as well as inhibit calcium oxalate stone formation.²

A conductivity meter will give a rough estimate of total dissolved solids, but will not illustrate the quality of the water. Quality water means it is free of chlorine, chloramine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pharmaceutical residues – all of which cannot be tested for with a conductivity or TDS meter.

What are the power requirements for your products? 

Our ozo-pods are DC and can operate on 12 to 24 volts. They come standard with 110-240 power converters.

Our MVP utilizes an on-board 12V Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, and in lieu of that, has a power cord that can be attached to any DC voltage source from 10 to 30 volts via "alligator clips".

What do I do when calcium deposits form on the electrodes? 

Tap water often contains minerals such as calcium carbonate. These minerals will accumulate on the electrodes and will cause the electrolysis process to slow down. When the generation of ozone water appears weak , clean the electrodes at least once a year as follows:

1. Prepare a solution of tap water and regular kitchen vinegar (at a ratio of 5 to 1 water to vinegar or 10 to 1 water to citric acid). 


2. Dip the ozone electrode into this solution for 10 minutes. Do NOT apply power. 


3. Rinse the ozone water generator with tap water. After cleaning the electrodes, normal production volume will resume.

Alternative method: Some customers have reporded great success with CLR brand cleaner.  Use the directions for cleaning a coffee maker.

 

How Much Mg/H of ozone does this ozone generator generate? 


First of all, we can't answer the question in terms of Mg/hr, because that is a measure of ozone production that refers to units which produce ozone through corona discharge or other methods that use gaseous oxygen in the air to make the ozone. Our units produce ozone via electrolysis. That means we direct an electric current through the water to produce ozone. We use the O in H2O to make our ozone. The bubbles produced are so tiny that the ozone mostly dissolves directly into the water. Only a very small percentage makes it out into the air. Which is another reason why folks like our products, because ozone in the air can be powerfully irritating, and should not be breathed in. (This is why there are "ozone alerts" in some cities, to warn the very young or elderly to stay indoors).

We can only measure dissolved ozone in terms of PPM, or parts per million. The PPM that the ozone will reach is affected by many things, such as temperature, PH, and what else might present in the water that the ozone will destruct itself on. 

This is why we invest in laboratory tests by world-recognized institutions such as SGS laboratories, who actually place hundreds of thousands of disease agents such as e-Coli and salmonella, in the water, to prove that the levels dropped to zero after using our products as directed. 

Generally speaking, an ozo-pod will bring 10 liters of water to 1 PPM dissolved ozone within 10 minutes. This is a level lethal to any bacteria, virus, etc., if maintained for 3 minutes. So we tell folks to let it run for 15 minutes to be very sure. 

 

What is your EPA pesticide registration number? 

We don't need one.  We contacted the EPA and was furnished this information on 06.06.2018:
 

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), pesticide products, as they pertain to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), may fall into one of three categories:

1)      Pesticide product requiring EPA registration;

  If a device, instrument, contrivance or appliance incorporates or is sold with a pesticide product, substance, or mixture of substances to perform its intended pesticidal purpose, then it is considered to be a pesticide product and EPA registration would be required (unless a specific exemption applies, such as pheromones as the sole active ingredient in traps, and minimum risk products).  


 3)      Pesticidal device, regulated by EPA but not required to be registered with EPA 

If the product in question meets the criteria below, it would be considered a pesticidal device and be subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Section 2(q)(1) and Section 7. 

A pesticidal device is an instrument or contrivance (other than a firearm or chemical substance) that is used to destroy, repel, trap or mitigate any pests such as insects, weeds, rodents, animals, fish, birds, mold/mildew, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.  While devices are regulated by EPA and subject to certain regulatory requirements, they do not require registration as pesticide products.

A device must work only by physical means (such as electricity, light or mechanics).  It must not contain (or be sold with) a substance or mixture of substances to perform its intended pesticidal purpose. Some examples of common devices are listed below:

  • Ultraviolet light systems, ozone generators, water filters and air filters (except those containing substances that are pesticides), certain ionizers, and ultrasonic devices for which claims are made to kill, inactivate, entrap, or suppress the growth of fungi, bacteria, or viruses;
  • Black light traps, fly traps, electronic and heat screens, fly ribbons, and fly paper (except those containing substances that are pesticides), for which claims are made to kill or entrap certain insects;
  • High frequency sound generators, carbide cannons, foils, and rotating devices for which claims are made to repel birds;
  • Mole thumpers, sound repellents, foils, and rotating devices for which claims are made to repel mammals; or
  • Onsite generators of pesticides (not sold with any active or precursor ingredients) to be used onsite including: peracetic acid, hypochlorous acid or chlorine dioxide (resulting pesticide is used onsite and not sold or distributed).  Please note that the provision of services associated with these types of devices is prohibited, e.g., owners may operate these devices for their own purposes but cannot provide their services to others as this constitutes the sales and distribution of an unregistered pesticide.

 

 What is the ideal use of the O-Pen® Silver or Tactical Black?

The O-Pen was designed for use with tap water anywhere in the world. It is perfect for travelers staying in hotels and eating at foreign restaurants. Or for campers/hikers/preppers who are interested in being able to use sources of fresh water around them.

 

Is the O-Pen® like any other straw or UV pen on the market?

 

This unit is not a straw, it is a wand that emits ozone, a powerful germ-killer.  There are other water purification pens that are sold that use UV Light, which can look blue, however, our technology does not use light at all, it uses ozone. 
 
When the button is pushed, there is a bright blue LED light that does come on, to indidicate that it is working. When the light goes out, after about :30 for .5L or 8oz of water, then the water is ready to be used for sanitizing purposes. Waiting longer, till the ozone has dissipated, (this varies with water temperature and PH, usually 10-15 minutes) is when most users consume the water.

 It depends on which product you are talking about. The O-Pen and Ozo-Pods are made in Taiwan. The GO-3 and the MVP is made in Pulaski, WI USA with almost 100% us made parts (the case is Canadian), The Ozo-Flow systems are assembled in Pulaski, Wisconsin. I try very hard to source as many US made products and components as humanly possible. For example, our pod pockets are made in a sewing shop in Green Bay, WI even though I could have saved 90% by sourcing in China. 

How long will an O-Pen® last? 
 

While we do not currently have end of life data, the O-Pen®'s ozone generator plates have an expected life expectancy of  at least 1,000 hours. Each use is less than a minute so this should result in thousands of uses.

 

Can your products run continuously? 

They can but would have to be services occasionally depending on the TDS of the water you are working with. 

 

Does ozone affect PH? I like my water to be alkaline.

No, ozone has no effect on alkalanity.

 

If ozone is being created by electrolysis, then how much hydrogen is being created? Are your products okay to run in a sealed room? 

We have never measured the gaseous hydrogen that escapes, because our system does not product large amounts of gas like the air based systems do. Most of the gases are being dissolved into the water.  Good air circulation is something we would recommend.

 

How do I know if the O-Pen® is no longer working or producing ozone? 

If it is fully charged and there is a light on, place it in tap water - if there are no bubbles coming out, try placing a pinch of salt in the water. Please email us directly if that does not work for you at info@rovingblue.com
 
Here is a link to our user manual for reference: https://www.rovingblue.com/_assets/marketings/105/marketing-105.pdf
 
Charge it for several hours on the first use. Use tap or other fresh water resources that haven't already been purified or filtered (like bottled water). Once you let the pen run, wait a few minutes for the ozone to revert back to oxygen before drinking it. If you are having problems with the pen, you can get a replacement from if you register it for a one year warranty on our website https://www.rovingblue.com/warranty/
 

What is the difference between the O-Pen® Silver and the O-Pen® Tactical Black? 
 
The difference is the external casing. The silver is a brushed stainless steel and comes with a gift box. The Tactical Black is a powder coated black matte steel casing that comes with a plastic case. The internal technology is the same. There was one comment posted by a paid negative reviewer on Amazon that referred to a "flaking black paint problem.  Be assured, there are no problems with the black paint flaking off.  
 
Will the O-Pen® treat cloudy water? 
 
Cloudy water = high levels of bacteria. You should always select clear water if possible. if you are concerned, you may hit the button again and again (you can't over-ozonate water). Once you can detect the smell of ozone, it is at a level where bacteria will be eliminated.
 
Are there any national standards for purification devices that would allow me to be assured that the O-Pen® is effective in purifying water?
 
No there arent, because beyond the big boys like Nestle, and Perrier, who use ozone in their water bottles that they sell, up to now there really hasnt been any systems out there for standards to be developed for. 
 
This is why we invested in independent laboratory results proving that the pen works when used as directed. We have contacted the NSF and the Water Quality Association about their standards for  microbiological reduction, but so far their systems are only for well established technologies like Chlorine, and UV light. They really dont have ozone standards in place. We are hoping that will change in the near future. To learn more you can read this document published by the EPA about ozone and its use 
 
If I use a bottle to get water out of a lake or stream, how would I go about purifying any water that is left on the lip/cap threads/outside of the bottle or on my hand?
 
You can use one bottle to collect the water and treat it, then while it is still full of ozone, (you can see/smell it), pour it into another bottle or cup to drink from, that would effectively clean the lip on it's way out of the first bottle, that would be the safest way. Or use a bottle with a sip cap that you could remove when filling and replace when it time to drink.
 
Does the O-Pen®  have to be able to release ozone bubbles at the very bottom of the bottle in order to purify all the water in the bottle?  How much should one be concerned about "full coverage" of the ozone bubbles throughout the water in the bottle?
 
The depth of the bottle is a factor: the truth is that the water should be stirred so that the ozone gets to all of it. You want to make sure you are smelling the ozone. You can always operate it multiple times, you cant "over ozonate" the water.
 
Where are your products made?
 
It depends on which product you are talking about. The O-Pen and Ozo-Pods are made in Taiwan. The GO-3 and the MVP is made in Pulaski, WI USA with almost 100% USA made parts, (well, the case is Canadian), The Ozo-Flow systems are assembled in Pulaski, Wisconsin with parts that are imported and sourced in the United States. We are patriots and we try very hard to source as many US made products and components as humanly possible. For example, our pod pockets are made in a sewing shop in Green Bay, WI even though we could have saved 90% by sourcing in China. 
 
Why haven't I heard of this before?
 
First of all, Roving Blue's ozone generators are an entirely new technology. To make ozone, you need oxygen. Most other ways of producing ozone involved bottled oxygen, or use oxygen in the air we breathe.  Because it is still a gas, you have to dissolve it in water, which involves pumps and or bubblers, etc. 
 
Our ozone generators make the ozone out of the "O" in H2O. So we can get much smaller and lower power than the other methods.
 
Also, There are a lot of very large chemical companies doing business here in the US that have a vested interest in people NOT getting turned on to ozone.  For example, the uses in dentistry would be fabulous, because Ozone will kill bacteria in your m-----, but our attorneys warn us we can't SAY ANYTHING like that without proper studies. Or we could get sued.  So arranging for those studies is something we are working on.  But studies and lab tests are expensive and we are still a very small company, so it will take time, and your early support to do them.
 
From all of us here at Roving Blue, thank you for your interest!
And because you made it all the way to the bottom of this page, please use this code to get a nice little discount on anything you decide to buy: IREADIT
Aren't we sneaky to bury it that deep in the page?
 
Why should I buy a Roving Blue ozone generator over the much cheaper ones I see on Amazon, etc?
 
Different technology. Our ozone generators are electrolytic, or as we like to call it, "The Power of EO3", meaning we use the oxygen in the water molecule H2O, to make our ozone. Other units use the oxygen that is in the air we breathe.  Because it is still a gas, it must be bubbled through with an airstone much like what you see in a fish tank.  If you watch closely, you will see that 99% of the ozone that is made with those cheap units just bubble up and exits the water and goes straight into the air, where you don't want it. Ozone is not safe to breathe. Buy an air unit for air cleaning, buy a water unit for water. Our ozone generators ONLY work in WATER, they dissolve the ozone directly into the water, from the water, like a cloud. Yes there will be a few bubbles, but nothing like what those other units do. Thats the main difference. You will see much higher levels of ozone in the water, much faster, than any of those systems, with less escaping into the air. Our technology also uses a lot less power and is low voltage.
 
How can you have electricity in water and not get shocked? 
 
The only way any shock can happen is if the cord is cut and submerged between the power converter and the wall, and that is never submerged.  The high voltage AC which can shock you is converted to low voltage DC and even then the positive and negative is insulated from eachother in the pod. Water is the only way the current can move and that is what makes the ozone on the plates.
 
Is ozone safe? 
 
Ozone is a oxidizer just like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide is. It kills microbes in essentially the same way. You can refer to any number of studies about it online, Wikipedia, or right here on our own web page. 
 
We think it is actually safer than chlorine because it reverts to oxygen. That is not a scam, it is a scientific fact of chemistry. 
 
If you are concerned about it, you just have to wait it out.  The half-life is about a half an hour, but in reality it usually degrades much faster. Its conversion will vary with how dirty the water is, the temperature of the water (it reverts faster in warm water), and the PH of the water. Most bottled water companies use ozone in their process, but by the time it is bottled and transported, the ozone is gone.
 
When you use our devices, you will quickly develop the skills to determine the presence or absence of ozone. The smell and taste of ozone is strong, and a sniff and/or quick small sip will quickly tell you that it is present or not, and you will have a comfort level of how and when to consume the water. 
 
Why does it seem like my box was opened, did I actually get a new O-Pen? 
 
We do open the boxes from time to time before shipping out to do quality checks, and to recharge the batteries in our in-stock inventory. Because cardboard boxes aren't really made to last for multiple opening and closings, this will sometimes cause a crease in the packaging, so it may appear that the box has been opened. (Also, since we have moved from a factory floor to our homes, during Covid, there even might be an occasional cat or dog hair on the package!) Please be assured that if you paid full price, that item is indeed brand new! We do sell "refurbished" items when we get return items, but they are clearly identified. 
 
I was wondering if this could be used to ozonate water for drinking?  
 
Short answer, yes! Our products are specifically made for drinking water purposes and for food and surface sanitation purposes.  Many of our products like the O-Pen and the GO3 water bottle pod are specifically made for drinking water.
 
How does the PPM of ozone compare to ozonating water with an ozone generator?
 
The PPM of our ozone generators is typically much higher than with standard ozone generators. 1 to 3 parts per million is the usual result.  If you are curious, we do sell ozone test kits on our site.
 
You see, typical ozone generators require air in gas form to make ozone, and the only way the ozone can get dissolved into the water is via a bubbler of some sort, like a fish tank bubbler.  Our ozone generators are electrolytic, meaning they make ozone out of the water itself, (you need oxygen to make ozone, so we use the O in H2O), so there is much less escaping into the air.  That makes them a little safer as well, as ozone is not something you really want to be breathing in extensively.

Ozo-Pods

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Ozo-pod® 50 Image View | Download
Ozo-pod® 1000 Image View | Download