Ultraviolet - UV Water Purification Systems
Did you know: UV systems can destroy 99.99% of
harmful microorganisms without adding chemicals or changing
your waters taste or odor?!
Ultraviolet (UV) is a safe, clean, easy-to-maintain
method of assuring that water is free of bacteria. UV Water
Purification uses Ultraviolet light, just like sunlight, to
kill micro-organisms that may be in the water. It is a proven
technology that has no significant drawbacks. In some applications,
its initial cost is a bit more than chlorination, but because
of its low operating cost, it quickly pays for itself. It is
environmentally friendly and essentially trouble-free. Most
ultraviolet water treatment systems require only an annual change
of lamp as simple as changing a light bulb and a periodic
change of the filter
cart.
UV Water Purification Systems
are available by contacting us at 1-877-377-9876.
About
UV Water Purification
There are over 19 million American households
and cottages that rely on private wells. Tens of thousands more
rely on lakes, streams and other surface water sources. Unfortunately,
not all of them have a UV water purification system protecting
them from harmful microorganisms.
While a nation-wide study does not exist, smaller
scale studies have commonly found that 40% of wells in any given
region suffer from E. coli and/or coliform bacteria at any given
time not to mention the countless other microorganisms that
may be in a water supply.
The quality of well water can vary from day to
day and from year to year in the short term, things like heavy
rainfalls or snow melt can affect water quality. In the long
term quality may be affected by distant contamination sources
such as earthquakes, and other factors. Water that has been
safe for years will not necessarily be safe tomorrow.
What is Ultra Violet (UV)
Although we cannot see UV light or rays, we are
exposed to them every time we step out into the sun. In fact,
UV light is responsible for causing sunburns. Ultraviolet systems
use special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength
in order to effectively disinfect water. UV light works by attaching
the genetic core (DNA) of bacteria and viruses, destroying their
ability to function and reproduce. The process is simple but
effective, destroying 99.99 percent of harmful microorganisms
without adding chemicals to the water.
Advantages of UV
There are some very important reasons why both
homeowners and municipalities are choosing UV technology to
treat their water.
What is Ultraviolet (UV)?
Sunlight has long since been known to kill micro-organisms.
The rays from the sun contain the UV Spectrum used in Ultraviolet
Water Treatment Systems although at much lower intensities.
It is also referred to as either Germicidal Spectrum or Frequency.
The frequency used in killing micro-organisms is 254 nanometers
(nm). The UV lamps that we use are designed specifically to
have the highest amount of UV energy at this frequency.
How is Ultraviolet
strength measured?
The UV light, 254 nm, is measured in water treatment
as Microwatts per Centimeter square. The United
States Department of Health has determined that an effective
UV system should provide a minimum of 16,000 Microwatts per
Centimeter Square.
Is the UN light
exposed directly to the water?
Yes and No. Yes, the rays are exposed, no the
bulb is not. The UV light is in the center of the filter, surrounded
by a clear quartz sleeve. The bulb is protected by this sleeve.
The sleeve is exposed directly to the water. The best way to
penetrate water with the UV light is to expose outward radiants
into the water and the UV rays penetrate the water to kill microorganisms.
What is the Quartz
Sleeve?
The Quartz Sleeve serves three purposes. 1. To
isolate the lamp from the water so the lectrical contacts are
not shorted out by the water. 2. To create a thermal barrier
allowing the lamp to maintain its ideal operating temperature
of 104 Degrees Fahrenheit and 3. To allow maximum transmission
of the UV energy into the water. The Quartz Sleeve is made of
pure-fused Quartz which has a transmission rate of approximately
98 percent.
How is the
Quartz Sleeve cleaned and how often should it be cleaned?
The Quartz Sleeve should be wiped down with a
damp cloth each time the lamp is changed. On some models the
Quartz Sleeve can be cleaned without being removed from the
UV system. In some cases the sleeve cannot be cleaned but should
be discarded and replaced.
How often should the
UV lamp be changed?
The UV light is designed to operate for (1) year
under continuous operation. The lamp will slowly lose energy
during this period, therefore the lamp should be changed annually
to guarantee the amount of UV energy available is sufficient
enough to kill micro-organisms.
Does UV purification
make the water taste better?
The UV energy entering the water has no effect
on the taste and odor of the water with the exception that certain
chemicals will oxidize under the UV light. The taste may change
due to this oxidation. This oxidation only takes place when
the water is standing for a long period of time in front of
the UV lamp.
Should UV be
used with other forms of filtration?
Yes, Because UV does not change the quality of
the water other than killing the bacteria and virus, it is always
recommended that Sediment pre-filter and Carbon post-filter
are used with a UV lamp. This configuration makes a complete
UV System.
Why is it necessary
to use a 1 micron filter with my UV system?
The outer layer or shell of a cyst is extremely
difficult to penetrate with a UV light. Because of the, UV manufacturers
recommend that a 1 micron (absolute) filter be included in the
UV System.
When used with other
filters, where should the UV be placed?
The UV lamp should always be preceeded with a
prefilter and followed with a carbon filter. It is always recommended
that the Ultraviolet system itself be the last water treatment
device before the point-of-use. Any filter or other water treatment
devices may cause re-contamination.
What causes black
particles to appear in the water when using a carbon filter
with UV?
The black particles that appear in the water
are from the carbon filters used with the UV light. When the
carbon filters are first put into use a small amount of carbon
particles may appear in the water. These particles are harmless
and are flushed out during the initial use of the filter.
Is ultraviolet as harmful
as radiation?
No. The UV light only penetrates the water and
is very much like sunlight. There is no residue or residual
of any kind in water that has been treated with the Ultraviolet
light. It is important to always use caution when servicing
a UV system so you are not exposed directly to the UV light.
How much water
pressure is required to operate most UV systems?
Most UV systems are designed to operate ideally
at approximately 65 psi (pounds of pressure per square inch).
Although many systems may operate with pressures as low as 20
psi, the flow rate will greatly decrease due to the low water
pressure. It is always recommended that if the pressure exceeds
75 psi a pressure reducing valve should be used.
Can I run hot water
through my UV system?
It is not recommended to run hot water or water
greater than 100 Degrees Fahrenheit through the UV system. At
higher temperatures plastics and rubber may soften, distort
or weaken causing the system to fail.
If the UV lamp is darkened,
is it defective or not working properly?
No. Darkening at the end of the UV lamp is normal.
The UV lamps rarely fail, and when they do it is usually caused
by voltage that is to high or to low. It is extremely important
that the UV lamp be replaced on an annual basis.
What is the difference
between hard and soft glass UV lamps?
Hard glass is pure-fused Quartz and maintains
its ability to transmit UV light over a longer period of time
than soft glass. Soft glass lamps use a glass more like normal
window glass. The UV light causes this glass to solarize and
inhibits the transmission of UV light. Normally soft glass has
a life span of 90 days, where hard glass lamps are designed
to operate for at least one (1) year.
If I turn the UV lamp
off while it is not in use, will it last longer?
No, It is not recommended to turn the UV light
on and off unless the system has been specifically designed
to do so. The on and off cycling of a UV lamp that is designed
to be left on at all times can cause premature lamp failure.
On average the lamp can loose as much as six (6) hours of lamp
life each time it is turned on and off.
Can I use filters
other then the ones provided with the system?
It is recommended that you not use filters other
than those whos specifications match the specifications of the
filters that came with the system. Filters that do not meet
these specifications will reduce the effectiveness of the system.
How long should the
filter(s) last?
Filters should normally last six twelve (6-12)
months depending on the quality of the water. In areas where
the water has a high amount of sediment, it is recommended that
you use a double or triple system, which has a Sediment (SD)
filter before the carbon filter (s). ESP does offer a larger
sized filter that will last longer under heavy sediment conditions.
Can I use UV for the
whole house at the point of entry?
Yes, A UV system can be used to treat the entire
house. There are several UV systems designed specifically for
this application. It is very important the lines in the house
be cleaned before using the UV system. If the lines are dirty,
the water will re-contaminate after the UV system is installed.
It is easiest to sterilize the lines by introducing a chlorine
solution and letting it stand for a period of time.
Why does the flow rate
reduce with the use of Sediment and Granular Activated Carbon
(GAC) Filters?
The Pre & Post Filters will create a resistance
or back-pressure on the incoming water flow reducing the flow
rate of the water.
Do ordinary filters
kill bacteria?
No. Ordinary filters cannot kill bacteria. The
bacteria will enter the filter and either pass through the filter
or grow within the filter. The UV light should always be the
last pass after the filters to ensure that bacteria does not
pass through to the drinking water.
Do Carbon filters
breed bacteria?
Bacteria can survive within a Carbon filter,
but this is normally not a problem if the filter is in continuous
use. If the filter stands for a long period of time, bacteria
can multiply.
What does Bacteriostatic
mean?
The term Bacteriostatic means the quantity of
bacteria passing through the system will be static bacteria
will not multiply. For example: if you have a count of 100 colony
forming units going into the filter you will have 100 colony
forming units coming out. Bacteriostatic filters do not kill
bacteria, but only inhibit the growth of bacteria within the
filter.
For additional information on Water
Treatment Systems, refer to frequently asked questions.
UV Water Purification Systems are available by contacting us:
1 (877) 377-9876
