Collection: Water Purification Systems

Buy new, refurbished, and used laboratory water purification systems from mLab Supply for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, clinical, and contract research laboratories. We source laboratory water systems across all major purification technologies and water grades — whether you're replacing an aging point-of-use unit, expanding lab capacity, or sourcing a specific water grade for an established analytical or cell culture workflow. Net 30 purchasing options are available for qualified organizations, and our team can assist with procurement documentation, quotations, and institutional purchasing requirements.

Laboratory water purification systems produce deionized (DI), reverse osmosis (RO), and ultrapure Type 1 water for HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS sample preparation, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, cell culture, tissue culture, PCR and qPCR, DNA sequencing, molecular biology, proteomics, histology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and general laboratory applications. We source instruments from MilliporeSigma (Milli-Q), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barnstead), ELGA LabWater, Sartorius (Arium), and other leading manufacturers.

Our team works with pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, universities, hospitals, and research laboratories across North America to source laboratory water purification systems ranging from compact benchtop ultrapure units to centralized laboratory water systems.

Buying Guide: Laboratory Water Purification Systems

Water Grade: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3

Laboratory water is classified by purity grade. Type 1 ultrapure water (resistivity ≥18.2 MΩ·cm, TOC <5 ppb) is required for HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, GC-MS sample preparation, cell culture, tissue culture, PCR and qPCR, DNA sequencing, proteomics, and other applications sensitive to trace organics, ions, particulates, endotoxins, RNase, and DNase. Type 2 water (resistivity 1–15 MΩ·cm) is suitable for general laboratory use including buffer preparation, reagent preparation, histology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and glassware rinsing. Type 3 water (RO-grade) is used as feed water for Type 1 and Type 2 systems and for non-critical washing applications.

Laboratory Water Standards

Laboratory water purity is defined by several internationally recognized standards. ASTM Type I (ultrapure) water has a minimum resistivity of 18.2 MΩ·cm and is used for the most demanding analytical and biological applications. ASTM Type II water (resistivity ≥1 MΩ·cm) is suitable for general laboratory reagent preparation and routine analytical work. ASTM Type III water (resistivity ≥0.05 MΩ·cm) is used for feed water pre-treatment and non-critical washing. ISO 3696 defines similar grades (Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3) and is commonly referenced in European laboratory standards. When evaluating a water purification system, confirm which ASTM or ISO grade it is designed to produce and verify that the output meets your application requirements.

Purification Technologies

Modern laboratory water purification systems combine multiple technologies in sequence to remove different classes of contaminants.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) — Removes dissolved salts, ions, organics, bacteria, and particulates by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. RO is typically the first stage in a multi-stage purification system and produces Type 3 feed water for downstream polishing.

Deionization (DI) — Removes ionic contaminants (cations and anions) using ion exchange resins. Mixed-bed DI resins are used in the final polishing stage of Type 1 systems to achieve resistivity ≥18.2 MΩ·cm.

Activated Carbon — Removes chlorine, chloramines, and dissolved organic compounds through adsorption. Typically used as a pre-treatment stage to protect downstream membranes and ion exchange resins from oxidative damage.

UV Oxidation — Uses ultraviolet light (typically 185 nm and 254 nm) to break down trace organic compounds and inactivate microorganisms. UV oxidation is a key component of Type 1 systems requiring low TOC output.

Ultrafiltration (UF) — Removes high-molecular-weight organics, endotoxins, RNase, DNase, and microorganisms through membrane filtration. Required for cell culture, molecular biology, and other applications sensitive to biological contaminants.

Final Membrane Filtration — A 0.2 µm or 0.1 µm final filter at the point of dispense removes particulates and microorganisms from the purified water stream immediately before use.

Common Laboratory Water Contaminants

Laboratories use water purification systems to remove contaminants that interfere with analytical results, cell culture performance, and reagent integrity. Common contaminants include:

Ions — Dissolved salts and ionic species that interfere with HPLC, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and electrochemical measurements
Organics — Dissolved organic compounds that elevate TOC and interfere with LC-MS, GC-MS, and UV absorbance measurements
Endotoxins — Bacterial lipopolysaccharides that cause cell culture contamination and interfere with biological assays
RNase and DNase — Nucleases that degrade RNA and DNA samples in molecular biology and sequencing workflows
Particulates — Suspended particles that clog HPLC columns, damage instrument flow paths, and interfere with optical measurements
Microorganisms — Bacteria and fungi that contaminate cell culture media, reagents, and biological samples

System Configuration

Laboratory water purification systems are available in several configurations depending on throughput requirements, available space, and facility infrastructure.

Benchtop Systems — The most common configuration for research laboratories. Compact point-of-use units that sit on the bench and produce purified water on demand. Typically produce 1–2 L/min and connect directly to a feed water source.

Under-Bench Systems — Installed below the bench to save bench space, with a dispensing head or tap at bench height. Suitable for laboratories with limited bench space and moderate daily water demand.

Wall-Mounted Systems — Mounted on the wall to free bench and floor space. Common in clinical and industrial laboratory environments where space efficiency is a priority.

Central Laboratory Distribution Systems — Supply purified water to multiple points of use via a recirculating distribution loop. Common in larger facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing environments, and multi-user research buildings with high daily water demand.

Most instruments in our catalog are benchtop point-of-use systems. Contact us for sourcing assistance on under-bench, wall-mounted, or central distribution configurations.

Resistivity and TOC Monitoring

Resistivity (measured in MΩ·cm) is the primary indicator of ionic purity. TOC (total organic carbon, measured in ppb) indicates organic contamination. For cell culture, tissue culture, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and DNA sequencing applications, both resistivity and TOC monitoring are required. Confirm that the system includes online resistivity and TOC monitoring if your application requires continuous water quality verification.

Feed Water Requirements

Most Type 1 ultrapure systems require pre-treated RO-grade feed water. Some systems include an integrated RO pre-treatment stage; others require a separate RO unit or pre-treated tap water. Confirm feed water requirements and local water quality before purchasing — hard water or high-TDS feed water may require additional pre-treatment.

Flow Rate and Daily Output

Match system output to your laboratory's daily water demand. Benchtop ultrapure systems typically produce 1–2 L/min on demand. High-throughput laboratories or facilities with multiple users may require higher-output systems or central distribution. Confirm flow rate, reservoir capacity (if applicable), and daily output specifications before purchasing.

Consumables and Filter Replacement

Water purification systems require periodic filter, cartridge, and UV lamp replacement. Consumable availability and replacement cost vary by manufacturer and model. Confirm consumable availability and estimated annual maintenance cost when evaluating a refurbished system — particularly for discontinued models where OEM consumables may be limited.

New vs. Refurbished Water Purification Systems

Refurbished laboratory water purification systems offer significant cost savings compared to new list pricing while delivering equivalent performance when properly serviced. Available instruments may include filter replacement, resistivity verification, TOC sensor calibration, UV lamp replacement, and performance verification records where available. Surplus and as-is units are also available for laboratories with in-house service capability. Specific refurbishment scope and documentation vary by instrument — our team can provide details for each available system.

Documentation & Validation

Documentation and available records vary by system. Depending on the instrument, available documentation may include resistivity calibration records, TOC calibration records, UV lamp replacement records, filter replacement history, IQ/OQ documentation, validation records, and service history. Contact us for current availability and complete system specifications before purchasing.

Procurement Support

We regularly support university procurement departments, pharmaceutical purchasing teams, government laboratories, and contract research organizations by providing quotations, procurement documentation, vendor onboarding support, and institutional purchasing assistance. Net 30 purchasing options are available for qualified organizations.

Popular Water Purification System Models

mLab Supply sources laboratory water purification systems from MilliporeSigma, Thermo Fisher Scientific, ELGA LabWater, Sartorius, Veolia Water Technologies, and Labconco.

Industries Served

Related Laboratory Equipment

Laboratories sourcing water purification systems frequently evaluate complementary instruments including HPLC & Chromatography Systems for analytical workflows requiring ultrapure water, Analytical Balances for gravimetric reagent preparation, pH Meters & Controllers for water quality verification, Spectrophotometers & Fluorometers for reagent quantification, Biosafety Cabinets for cell culture and tissue culture workflows, and qPCR Systems for molecular biology applications requiring nuclease-free water. Browse our complete Buy Lab Equipment catalog, Request a Quote for a specific system, or visit our Sell Lab Equipment page if you have surplus water purification equipment to sell.

Why Buy From mLab Supply?

New, refurbished, and used laboratory water purification systems
Equipment sourcing for discontinued models and legacy consumable configurations
Vendor and procurement support for institutional purchasing
Net 30 purchasing for qualified organizations
Equipment liquidation and trade-ins
Nationwide shipping
Installation coordination available on select systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a refurbished water purification system from mLab Supply?

Yes. mLab Supply sources pre-owned and refurbished laboratory water purification systems from MilliporeSigma, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barnstead), ELGA LabWater, Sartorius, and other manufacturers. Submit a quote request and we'll confirm current availability and system configuration.

What is the difference between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 laboratory water?

Type 1 ultrapure water (≥18.2 MΩ·cm resistivity, <5 ppb TOC) is required for HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, cell culture, tissue culture, PCR and qPCR, DNA sequencing, and proteomics. Type 2 water (1–15 MΩ·cm) is suitable for general laboratory use including buffer and reagent preparation, histology, clinical chemistry, and microbiology. Type 3 RO-grade water is used as feed water for Type 1 and Type 2 systems and for non-critical washing applications.

Do your water purification systems require a separate RO feed water source?

Most Type 1 ultrapure systems require pre-treated RO-grade feed water. Some systems include an integrated RO pre-treatment stage; others require a separate RO unit or pre-treated tap water. Confirm feed water requirements for each specific system before purchasing — our team can provide configuration details.

Are consumables and replacement filters available for refurbished systems?

Consumable availability varies by manufacturer and model. For current-generation instruments from MilliporeSigma, Barnstead, ELGA, and Sartorius, OEM consumables are generally available. For discontinued models, consumable availability should be confirmed before purchasing. Contact us for details on consumable availability for a specific system.

What flow rate do I need for my laboratory?

Benchtop ultrapure systems typically produce 1–2 L/min on demand, which is sufficient for most single-user research laboratories. High-throughput laboratories or facilities with multiple simultaneous users may require higher-output systems or central distribution. Confirm your daily water demand and peak flow requirements before selecting a system.

Do you purchase used water purification systems?

Yes. mLab Supply purchases surplus and used laboratory water purification systems from pharmaceutical companies, universities, contract laboratories, and research organizations. If you have equipment to sell, visit our Sell Lab Equipment page or request an equipment valuation.

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