Op, I know you asked where people get their water from hoping for a cheaper alternative to maybe the store you are buying from, plus having possible phosphate issues.
I used to go weekly to pick up 5x5 gl jugs from Water Solutions. I found this to be a huge PITA over a period of time, especially alternate weeks in doing water changes, not just looking for top off water. In emergency situations, I have purchased 5L jugs from Sobeys.
I have an Vertex RO unit I picked up for I believe -$120-$150 a couple of years ago. The cost savings since owning have been substantial, I have water on demand, no gas costs, no finding the time to go and no lugging jugs of water in the winter on slippery sidewalks etc. My filters need changing now and honestly, the cost of running out every few months to pick them up is nothing to what I was spending in the past.
Watch the forums for a used one, they do come up, especially with full system shut downs. They are worth every penny and as essential as any other piece of equipment you may have for your tank, IMHO.
Someone suggested filling jugs for you, I'd offer, but honestly its enough of a pain to fill enough for top offs for the week for my own system, let alone regularly supply someone else. (I still carry 5gl jugs from the basement upstairs... ;-)
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