UV WATER TREATMENT
The quality of your drinking water can change from day-to-day, season to season. Even if your tap water is safe today, contaminants can infiltrate wells and aquifers, and aging infrastructure can lead to an increased risk of contamination. In fact, boil water advisories are becoming more and more common, even in large cities.
Not all water disinfection technologies are created equal. For example, chemicals can be both dangerous to handle and potentially hazardous to the environment – and some waterborne illness-causing microbes are chlorine-resistant. Reverse osmosis wastes on average three gallons of water for every one gallon it purifies, and is no longer recognized
as a barrier to microbiological contamination. Filters can improve taste, but they generally don’t treat microbiological contaminants.
HOW DOES UV DISINFECTION WORK?
The ultraviolet (UV) treatment process is an extremely quick physical process. Ultraviolet light mutates and/or degrades DNA. DNA (or deoxyribonucleic acid) is the part of the cell that gives an organism its instructions on how to function and reproduce.






When the DNA is damaged, the organism becomes unable to function because its “instructions” are garbled or missing. An organism that has no instructions cannot function and reproduce, and cannot cause infection. It is rendered harmless and eventually dies.
                                    In the UV disinfection process, water is purified as it runs through a stainless steel chamber (also called a “reactor”) that contains a special UV- producing lamp. As the water flows past the lamp, the microbes in the water receive a lethal dose of UV.
The water is then safe to drink. However, different organisms require different levels of UV energy to disrupt their DNA. This energy level is known as a UV dose.


How Do You Calculate UV Dose?
UV Dose is expressed in mWs/cm2 or mJ/cm2. The accepted standard for most applications is 30 mJ/cm2. A slower flow rate will result in a higher UV dose. The longer the chamber and the longer the water stays in contact with the UV lamp, the higher the dose. Most UV manufacturers have a variety of systems suitable for different dose requirement
Intensity is the quantity of UV light per unit area, and time is the amount of “contact time:” the water spends in the chamber.
UV dose is determined by calculating two amounts: UV light intensity and time.
Depending on the type of microorganism you are dealing with, your system needs will be different. Consult a water treatment professional to ensure that you are getting the right kind of system for your needs.
Benefits of UV Disinfection
Chemical-free
Easy to install and service
Economical and energy efficient
Addresses a broader range of pathogens than chlorine – some protozoa like Cryptosporidium and Guardia are resistant to chlorination.
Recognized by regulators including USEPA
 Where can UV are used?
Short answer: everywhere! Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection of drinking water has been growing steadily in popularity, as people search for a chemical-free solution for ensuring their water is safe from microbiological contaminants.
Homes and cottages: Home systems are point of entry (POE), which means they’re plumbed directly into the water line where it enters your house. This ensures clean, safe water is available at every tap in your home.
Camps, RVs, and boats: If your water source is a lake, a well or an on-board supply, don’t let poor water quality ruin your recreation time. UV is a chemical-free solution to protect all outdoor enthusiasts.
Schools, daycares, and eldercare and healthcare facilities: The young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are among those most susceptible to infection. In many jurisdictions, especially if the facility is served by a private water supply, water quality is subject to regulation.
Offices and public buildings: It’s simply good business to ensure the quality and safety of the water provided for employees and visitors, from washrooms and drinking fountains, to water features.
Restaurants, hotels and resorts: It’s hard to name an industry that relies more heavily on recommendations and word-of-mouth. Guest experience is everything. Water quality enhances food and beverages, and water safety ensures your reputation.
Rainwater: More and more homeowners and organizations are opting to harvest rainwater as a private water source and disinfection of that water is required for potable uses