- HOW LONG HAS UV WATER DISINFECTION BEEN IN USE ?
- WHO SHOULD USE UV WATER DISINFECTION ?
- HOW DOES UV DISINFECT WATER ?
- WHAT IS UV DOSE ?
- WHAT UV DOSE DO I REQUIRE ?
- CAN I DO MY OWN INSTALLATION ?
- WHAT ARE THE ELECTRICAL OPERATING COSTS OF A UV DISINFECTION SYSTEM ?
- DOES THE UNIT NEED TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY ?
- WHERE DO I INSTALL THE UV DISINFECTION UNIT ?
- CAN I INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE ?
- I AM INSTALLING THE UNIT IN A COTTAGE ?
- I HAVE MUNICIPAL WATER DO I NEED UV DISINFECTION ?
- IS WATER PRE-TREATMENT REQUIRED ?
- HOW LONG DOES THE UV LAMP LAST ?
- DO I NEED TO REGULARLY TEST MY WATER ?
HOW LONG HAS UV WATER DISINFECTION BEEN IN USE
The first recorded use of UV water disinfection was in 1906 with a municipal
installation in Anon, France. Residential application of the process was given
renewed interest during the 1950s and has been growing at an accelerating rate
ever since. The technological problems and uncertainties faced by the early
users have all been resolved and todays UV equipment is not only safe, but
competitively priced, but offers low maintenance and low operating cost compared
to other disinfection methods. It is the disinfection method of choice for most
residential applications.
back to top of page »
WHO SHOULD USE UV WATER DISINFECTION
Any one who receives their water from a private well or surface water needs
to disinfect. In many areas we can no longer assume the safety of our water
source with the ever increasing effects of agriculture and industry.
back to top of page »
HOW DOES UV DISINFECT WATER
When disease causing microorganisms are exposed to UV light their DNA is
disrupted, disabling the microorganisms ability to replicate and cause illness.
back to top of page »
WHAT IS UV DOSE
UV dose is the function of both the intensity of the UV radiation and the
length of time the water is exposed to the UV radiation. UV dose is expressed in
millijoules(mj)/centimeter squared (cm2)
back to top of page »
WHAT
UV DOSE DO I REQUIRE
UV disinfection equipment is being manufactured to a number of different dose
standards and it is important to know the dose being used when flow rates are
specified. The oldest standard still in use is the US Department of Health
standard which recommends a dose of 16mj/cm2. This dose is still considered
acceptable for applications where the UV disinfection device is used to treat
for nuisance organisms that colonize filters and water softeners when used with
municipal water sources. For many years the industry used a standard of 30mj/cm2
for primary disinfection. More recently leading authorities (including the US
EPA and NSF) have adopted a dose of 40mj/cm2 for primary water disinfection. We
highly recommend the 40mj/cm2 for all installations where the water source is a
private well or surface water and a dose of 30mj/cm2 for all applications with a
municipal water supply.
back to top of page »
CAN I DO MY OWN INSTALLATION
Where local regulations allow and you have basic plumbing skills UV systems
and equipment can be DIY installed. Please review your instruction manual
or installation diagrams for more detailed information.
back to top of page »
WHAT ARE THE ELECTRICAL OPERATING COSTS OF A UV DISINFECTION SYSTEM
The UV system uses about as much electrical energy as a 40watt light bulb.
back to top of page »
DOES THE UNIT NEED TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY
Yes, The UV lamp needs to operate for several minutes to reach full UV
output. Excessive on/off cycling of the UV lamp will greatly reduce its life
expectancy. Additionally, by having the unit on continuously the chance that
untreated water will be consumed is minimized.
back to top of page »
WHERE DO I INSTALL THE UV DISINFECTION UNIT
UV disinfection equipment should always be the last stage of any water
treatment system and should be installed so that both the cold water
distribution system and the hot water heater receive the UV disinfected water.
back to top of page »
CAN I INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE
Yes, if desired a bypass valve can be installed.
back to top of page »
I AM INSTALLING THE UNIT IN A COTTAGE
UV water disinfection is becoming very popular for cottages and summer
residences. If your UV system is not going to be in use for several months, you
can shut it down during absences. Provided you disconnect the UV disinfection
system from the AC power source and completely drain the disinfection chamber in
areas where freezing temperatures are possible, the lamp should last for the
full 9000hrs. When used in this manner the quartz sleeve should be cleaned
annually and the UV lamp should be replaced after two years regardless of hours
of use. We do not recommend disconnecting the unit from the AC power source in
situations where the cottage will be used on a regular basis e.g. every weekend.
back to top of page »
I HAVE MUNICIPAL WATER DO I NEED UV DISINFECTION
The majority of municipal water providers do an excellent job of providing a
safe, reliable supply of water to their customers. If you have any reason to
feel that your water provider is not in this group you may wish to install a UV
disinfection system to provide additional water supply security for yourself and
your family. If you are using a whole house point-of-entry activated carbon
filter to reduce chlorine and other contaminates, then the use of a UV water
disinfection device after the activated carbon filter is highly recommended as
micro-organisms are known to colonize in these filter media. It is for this
reason that many of the available countertop and pitcher filter devices
recommend frequent media changes in their user instructions.
Also, if your water supplier has ever had occasion to post a boil water
alert, then we strongly recommend you consider a UV water disinfection system be
added to your home use water supply. A UV water sanitizer will eliminate the
need to boil your water if those contamination issues ever occur with your water
source.
back to top of page »
IS WATER PRE-TREATMENT REQUIRED
The UV disinfection is a physical process and the microorganisms need to be
exposed to a minimum level of UV energy for effective disinfection. To ensure
low maintenance reliable operation, the water to be treated must not contain any
elements which significantly reduce the UV transmission of the water or elements
which will form a deposit on the quartz sleeve which will lower the amount of UV
light energy in the disinfection chamber. Water, which meets the following
minimum guidelines, generally requires only an annual maintenance interval,
consisting of lamp replacement and cleaning of the quartz sleeve. Quartz sleeves
are generally replaced after 2 or 3 bulb replacements.
Turbidity < 1 NTU
Suspended Solids < 10mg/L
Color None
Total Iron < 0.3 mg/L
Manganese < 0.05 mg/L
Hardness < 7 gpg
If you are unsure as to whether your water source meets the required minimum
standards, we suggest you have a sample of the water analyzed by a local water
testing laboratory. We highly recommend, as a minimum, the installation of a 5
micron pre-filter before all UV disinfection equipment. If your water needs
pretreatment in addition to the 5 micron pre-filter we would suggest you consult
with a local water treatment dealer who is familiar with water conditions in
your area.
back to top of page »
HOW LONG DOES THE UV LAMP LAST
The UV output of the UV lamp decreases slowly with age and has a useful life
of 9000 hours (375 days). Beyond 9000 hours the lamp output starts degrade
rapidly and disinfection performance will be suspect. UV Dynamics disinfection
units are designed to provide the specified dose at the end of the useful lamp
life. The integral lamp change reminder alarm will inform you of the necessity
of changing the lamp. Operating the lamp beyond 9000 hrs will result in ever
reducing disinfection performance.
back to top of page »
DO I NEED TO REGULARLY TEST MY WATER
Yes, even with a UV disinfection unit installed regular water testing is
strongly suggested to verify the safety of your entire water distribution system.
back to top of page »
Additional UV Water Sanitizer Products, Information & Replacement Bulb Ordering:
[ UV Purifiers Home Page ]
[ Whole House UV Water Disinfection w/ Filter Systems ] [ UV Dynamics UV Water Purifiers ] [ Luminor UV ] [ MINIPURE UV ] [ MIGHTY*PURE UV ] [ SANITRON UV ] [ VIQUA UV Water Purifiers ] [ Crystal Quest UV Water Purifiers ] [ INFINITY UV ] [ Tank Master UV ] [ MEGATRON UV ] [ Ultraviolet Water Sanitizer w/ Filters - 70+ Systems ] [ UV Water Disinfection FAQ ] [ UV Germicidal Info ] [ Replacement UV Bulbs AND UV Lamps ]
Sales Hours: |
Monday - Friday: 9:00AM to 8:00PM EST Saturday: 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST
Sunday: 10:00AM to 4:00PM EST |
Service and Repair: |
Monday - Friday: 9:00AM to 8:00PM EST |
TOLL FREE:
1.800.738.1750
or DIRECT
561.660.3250
|