UV Water Filters

UV water filters are used to disinfect water with ultraviolet light. A protective transparent sleeve is placed in the water and the light source emits UV rays to inactivate any harmful microorganisms. This is a popular water treatment option because you do not have to use any chemicals.

How Do UV Water Filters Work?

The ultraviolet rays in a UV water system are like the UV rays from the sun but stronger. They alter the DNA of bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeasts, algae, cysts and molds so they become deactivated and cannot reproduce. Viruses and bacteria are the cause of most waterborne pathogenic illness. Legionella pneumophila and hepatitis can survive for a long time after chlorine treatment but are eliminated immediately with UV treatment. Unlike with chlorination, there are no known microorganisms resistant to UV.

UV water treatment does not remove metals, dirt, particles or hard minerals so if these are a problem for you, a UV filter system will not be the best water filter system if used alone.

UV treated water is safe to drink because it protects you from any microorganisms in the water. If you are using a regularly tested water source or municipal water supply, you probably do not need to use UV water filtration.

A UV water filter does not change the odor or taste of the water like chlorine does. Chlorinating can also produce harmful byproducts called Trihalomethanes, or THMs, which are linked to cancer.

Types of UV Water Filters

UV water filtration systems come in different types. You can get systems to treat small point-of-use applications or huge ones to treat a whole municipality. A point-of-use UV water filter is a small device that rests on the counter and attaches to your faucet. You can mount these under a counter too. A larger system can be used and these are attached where the water enters the home to disinfect the whole water supply.

Class A and Class B UV Water Filters

You can choose from Class A and Class B UV water filters. Class A systems can be large or small and are for the removal of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria and cysts. These are for use on visually clear water and not to be used on cloudy, turbid or colored water. They cannot be used for converting sewage or wastewater to drinking water.

A Class B UV water filter offers supplemental bactericidal treatment of disinfected drinking water. These systems are intended for water supplies such as municipal water stores and they reduce nuisance microorganisms rather than disinfecting the water.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a UV Water Filtration System

UV water filters are affordable and eliminate most harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. They are also more energy efficient that some other types of water filters. A UV water filtration system does require an electrical connection and it needs pre-filtration in order to be effective.

Any sediments and non-microorganism contaminants can create a shadow which stops the UV rays from reaching the microorganisms, so depending on how your water is to begin with, a UV system might be good for you if you want to ensure there are no microorganisms in your drinking water. If you have dirty water or another problem, you will need a different filtration system in addition to the UV water filter or alongside it.

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