A water treatment system includes a source of inlet water, a prefiltration unit, a feeder, a pump, and a membrane element. The prefiltration unit is in fluid communication with the source and provides a prefiltered water to a prefiltered water line. The feeder is in fluid communication with the prefiltered water line and is positioned downstream of the prefiltration unit. The feeder is designed to deliver a chemical additive to the prefiltered water. The pump is in fluid communication with the prefiltered water line and a permeate flush line, and the pump is designed to increase a flow rate of water in a membrane feed line. The membrane element includes an inlet that is in fluid communication with the pump via the membrane feed line. The membrane element produces a permeate imparted with a first concentration of solutes and a retentate imparted with a second concentration of solutes.