Water is drawn from natural sources such as reservoirs, streams, bores, and rainwater tanks may include germs that might be harmful to your health. Before drinking, bathing, filling swimming and paddling pools, food preparation or cooking water obtained from naturally sourced must be professionally tested and treated by a professional. To remove pathogenic organisms that may cause sickness, a variety of water treatment techniques can be utilized. Water treated with UV radiation is one type of water treatment technique that can be used to eliminate the majority of microbial contaminants from water.
What is UV light?
UV light is a component of natural sunlight. It cannot be seen since UV radiation falls between visible light and x-rays.
What is the mechanism by which UV light damages microorganisms?
A microorganism’s energy may damage the cellular function of a UV-sensitive microorganism, preventing it from growing.
Is UV light effective against all germs?
Yes. UV radiation is generally powerful against all viruses, germs, and protozoa. Some bacteria, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, have robust or thick cell walls that certain low-power UV light systems are unable to penetrate. (If necessary, it’s critical to ensure that the UV light disinfection systems are specifically created to destroy these microorganisms.)
Is UV light effective in all water conditions?
No. UV light will only travel in a straight line, so any shadow or obstruction will reduce its effectiveness. Iron, manganese, and other particles might absorb or scatter UV light in unfiltered water, reducing the disinfection system’s efficacy. Microorganisms that are able to pass through concealed by dirt, debris, or other bacteria may be able to survive treatment.
Is it necessary to filter my water before UV disinfection?
Yes. Before treating water with UV light, it is necessary to filter it to ensure that all suspended particles are eliminated. Because UV light is not a filter, germs and suspended matter will not be removed from the treated water.
What if the power goes out?
In order to disinfect water with UV light, a continuous power supply is required. If the electricity drops or fails, the UV light intensity will fall or fail, preventing the system from safely disinfecting water. In the event of a power outage, disconnected UV light systems should be linked to water pumps so that untreated water will not be given.
Is water treatment maintained throughout the water supply system?
No, UV light disinfection systems can only sanitize water at the point of contact. Because there is no residual disinfectant in the water after it has passed through a UV light disinfection system, recontamination from backflow, breaks, and biofilms (slime) may occur as soon as it leaves. Water treatment systems that are well designed always place UV light disinfection systems near to the point of use.
Should I clean the pipe system after a UV water treatment unit?
Yes, a biofilm (or slime) may develop in a water supply system treated with UV light over time. This might require periodic chlorine treatments to remove any biofilms from the pipes. To eliminate biofilms, flush all pipes with a 1mg/L chloride solution, making sure to open all faucets to let all chlorinated water drain out.
Do UV light disinfection systems require any maintenance?
Yes. All UV light systems will require maintenance. The UV tubes and lamps will have to be replaced on a regular basis. Cleaning out the Teflon and quartz glass tubing within the equipment is required to remove algae and other debris. It’s advisable that you follow the manufacturer’s or product supplier’s maintenance instructions if possible.
Is it necessary to test water that has been treated with UV light?
Yes, it is suggested that you test disinfected water for microorganisms every month to confirm that the water has been adequately cleaned. Water samples should be tested by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) authorized laboratory, which may be found in the yellow pages under the heading “Analysts.”
Is it necessary to use UV light to disinfect drinking water under the scheme?
It is not necessary to disinfect drinking water in the scheme any further. To guarantee that supplied drinking water is safe to consume, the Department of Health checks the microbiological and chemical quality of all licensed scheme drinking water suppliers’ supply on a regular basis
