UV disinfection can be a reliable treatment system and, in the United States, dates back to about 1916. The choice of a UV system depends upon the microbiological quality of the water and the chemical quality of the water. The UV disinfection system is not normally a stand-alone system and it is common for the water to require some form of pretreatment. Common pretreatment requirements would include the removal of Turbidity, water color, colloidal particles, suspended particles, organic colloids, or Inorganics that tend to create films, scale or coatings. There are two classes of UV Systems certified by the International NSF.

Class A units are designed to treat water with some pretreatment issues including non-zero results for total coliform or a standard plate count, and are positive for fecal coliform and E. coli.

Class B units are used when the water has no major pretreatment needs but the water contains elevated levels of total coliform and have a non-zero standard plate count and are typically polishing filters.

Typically, both units require the addition of a Particle Filtration system prior to the UV disinfection unit. The Particle Filtration system should be capable of removing particles that are 5 microns or larger. UV systems are not magical boxes and these systems require proper monitoring and maintenance. The major limitation to this type of system is that this treatment provides no chemical residual to prevent the growth of Bacteria; annual maintenance is critical.

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Follow the Path to Clean Water

We recommend that, prior to installing a CounterTop POU (Point-of-Use) Unit, you Get Informed by gathering as much information as possible and Get Tested by conducting multiple levels of testing depending on your needs: Level 1 Observational Testing using our Self Test Web App, Level 2 Do-It-Yourself Testing, Level 3 Informational Lab Testing and, if needed, Level 4 Certified Testing conducted by a water professional.

If you have any questions please Contact the KnowYourH2O team.