UV light (ultraviolet light) is a powerful disinfectant for water. Ultraviolet light disinfects water by hitting a bacterium with electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 2537A without the need for chemicals. This action breaks the DNA of the bacteria, stopping them from reproducing and, as a result, killing them. It does not affect the water's flavor or odor, and it does not eliminate beneficial minerals. After UV disinfection, the water is safe to drink. Private water system regulation OAC 3701-28-09 presently allows UV to be used as the main disinfection method for private water systems. Only UV Light Water Filtration Systems that satisfy NSF Standard 55 "Class A" or the equivalent may be evaluated for primary disinfection approval.
What Is Ultraviolet Disinfection and How Does It Work?
Water is introduced into a chamber and subjected to a strong dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The UV light is emitted by a lamp that is not in direct contact with the water but rather via a quartz sleeve. The germicidal water disinfection lamp emits radiation at 254 nanometers and has a 10,000-hour life. The DNA of bacteria and viruses in water pollutants is targeted by light in this range. Microorganisms are unable to reproduce due to exposure, and cells that are unable to replicate are deemed dead. UV disinfects without the use of chemicals or the creation of new ones. It does not affect the water's flavor or odor, and it does not eliminate beneficial minerals. After disinfection, the water is safe to drink.
People may use UV disinfection systems to protect themselves against bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pollutants in their drinking water. UV technology, which disinfects water by using ultraviolet light, has been around for decades. Many alternative filtering methods can't disinfect water as quickly as UV can. This technology effectively treats water without the need for harsh chemicals like chlorine. Some UV Light Water Filtration Systems may be used to address any water problems, and bespoke UV Light Water Filtration Systems can also be created if needed.
What Does UV Light Water Filtration Systems Remove?
While UV therapy may not eliminate viruses and organisms, it does make them ineffective by changing their DNA. When bacteria and viruses present in your drinking water are exposed to UV light, they become inactive, ineffectual, and harmless. UV water filtration systems are used to treat the following:
- Coli
Because the bacterium dwells mostly in the intestines of cows, E. Coli is linked to agricultural runoff and sewage. The particular strain known to cause serious health issues, 1057:H7, generates a strong toxin that may cause severe gastrointestinal sickness (CDC).
Cryptosporidium
These are tiny parasites that may cause cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal illness that affects anybody who ingests them. The parasite is largely resistant to the conventional chlorine treatment used in drinking water because of its outer shell. This implies that unless further measures are taken, it may end up in your drinking water. Invest in a UV filter that will efficiently kill the parasite to safeguard your family from "crypto." UV filters, according to the CDC, kill most protozoa, including cryptosporidium.
Giardia
Giardia, a tiny parasite related to cryptosporidium, causes severe diarrheal illness in humans if it enters the intestines. Because of the protection provided by its outer shell, it can live in the environment and your body for long periods. In the United States, Giardia infection is a frequent cause of waterborne illness. Giardia is similar to cryptosporidium in that its outer shell makes chlorine disinfectants ineffective. To successfully decrease giardia in your drinking water, the CDC recommends UV filters.
Hepatitis A
This is a contagious liver illness caused by coming into contact with the Hepatitis A virus. The severity of this illness varies, and it may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If even a tiny quantity of feces from an infected individual finds its way into the water supply, water systems throughout the nation may become polluted with Hepatitis A.
Advantages of UV Light Water Filtration Systems
UV Light Water Filtration Systems are an efficient way to disinfect water at the point of entry for domestic usage, and they may also be used to disinfect the whole house. UV Light Water Filtration Systems are strongly suggested for households who believe their water contains E.coli, cryptosporidium, giardia, or other bacteria or viruses. Chemical disinfectants are another option for killing bacteria and viruses in water. However, due to the harmful by-products produced by chlorine and other chemicals, it is not recommended that private goods owners use them to disinfect their water. To protect yourself from waterborne bacterial illnesses, avoid consuming any water that is possibly contaminated with bacteria.
Here are some of its benefits:
- UV purification does not utilize any chemicals, like chlorine, and does not produce any hazardous by-products.
- UV has no chemical flavor or odor. Thus the water is tasteless and odorless.
- Eliminating 99.99 percent of disease-causing microorganisms is one of the most effective methods to eliminate disease-causing germs.
- It uses approximately the same amount of energy as a 60 watt light bulb.
- It's a system that you can set and forget about; all you have to do is replace the UV bulb once a year.
- It's one of the few low-cost home technologies that successfully eliminates the vast majority of bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous microorganisms
Unlike other disinfection techniques such as chlorination, UV Light Water Filtration Systems do not utilize harsh chemicals to clean water. Chlorine gives water an unpleasant taste and alters its composition. Because chlorine interacts with other elements in water to create poisonous chemicals, a high concentration of chlorine may be deadly. Water treatment using ultraviolet lamps is a highly cost-effective solution. The majority of UV Light Water Filtration Systemsneed an inexpensive yearly bulb replacement.
While RO systems remove most pollutants from water, they also waste a significant amount of it. UV filters, on the other hand, do not waste any water throughout the process. UV filtering is an ecologically beneficial technology since no by-products are generated during the treatment step. It eliminates the need to dispose of filthy or worn-out components, making it a hassle-free method to guarantee clean drinking water.
Disadvantages of UV Light Water Filtration Systems
Ultraviolet water purification alone is insufficient to purify water to the point where it may be consumed. Because UV light is exclusively efficient against bacteria and viruses, this is the case. UV Light Water Filtration Systems are often combined with Reverse Osmosis systems to offer a full filtration procedure for the cleanest drinking water. The failure to remove additional pollutants from water, such as heavy metals, hardness-causing salts, chlorine, or other organic and inorganic chemicals, is perhaps the most significant. It's solely good for getting rid of germs and other microbial contaminants. UV water treatment systems are utilized in combination with other water filters because of this.
Second, in cloudy or dirty water, UV Light Water Filtration Systems are useless. The suspended particles decrease the strength of ultraviolet radiation and may even allow bacteria to hide underneath them, making the UV filter ineffective. A pre-filter should be employed if the water is cloudy or includes floaties since UV light cannot efficiently reach microorganisms because the other particles hinder the rays. To maintain efficacy, it also needs an electrical connection (typically a standard plug-in) and pre-filtration - silt and other pollutants may form a shadow that inhibits UV rays from reaching the dangerous bacteria.
If power is not available, a UV may not be appropriate for many uses, such as rural, emergency, or survival requirements. It does not affect the taste or odor of water. For some, this may be a benefit. However, if you want to enhance the flavor and odor of your water, you should pair your UV water sterilizer with a reverse osmosis water filter. Microorganisms can only be killed by UV radiation in water. Heavy metals, salts, chlorine, or artificial compounds such as petroleum products or medicines are not removed by UV technology from water. UV should be used with other filtering techniques to guarantee that all pollutants are eliminated from the water. UV light can only function if the water is clear.
Get Your Own Quality UV Light Water Filtration Systems at Charlotte Water Filtration
In your house, your family needs clean, sediment-free drinking water. Our water experts at Charlotte Water Filtration will make sure that your water treatment system is in good working order so that everyone in your home can drink safe water. Don't hesitate to contact us right away if you need a UV Light Water Filtration System.