UV vrs Chlorine Treatment
UV vrs Chlorine treatment. Which is best? We always ask first; What are you trying to fix in the water? More precisely what bacteria do you have present in the water? Some bacterium like Iron Bacteria, do not always respond to UV. Sulfur reducing bacteria, does not respond to UV. The only UV light controllable bacteria that we normally would recommend are E-coli and Coliform bacterium. We never recommend that as a solution if there are measurable amounts of iron, sulfur, manganese or high hardness or limestone levels. As these substances can render UV as useless. Particles in the water and high hardness levels can cause something called “Shielding”.
Fecal Coliform is especially dangerous to senior citizens and/or children in the home. It also may affect your pets. Using UV light improperly to combat Coliform or ecoli bacteria can be dangerous.
High Hardness or Iron will impair UV lights
UV must be used only under specific and strict water conditions. The water must be low in hardness and virtually sediment must be removed for a UV light to safely remove harmful bacterium. The water being treated should also be free of iron, sulfur and manganese. Otherwise a particle like iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, etc may be penetrated by a bacterium found in the water and ride through the UV using the particles as a shield from the UV light. There is no way to know if your water is contaminated with E-coli or Coliform without proper testing. Please call in to one of our friendly tech’s who can help you determine what you need to do.
Naturally Soft water is not very common in well water. So you should consider several options when water has been diagnosed with E-coli and/or Coliform. The best option is a chlorination system. The benefit of chlorinating a private home well is that water is stored with chlorine in a retention tank to ensure that the water is properly disinfected. It is called contact time. You need at least 20 minutes of contact time to kill harmful bacteria. Start by doing a flow rate check. Item number 7 on this page:
You should also read item number 16 on that page.
UV vrs Chlorine Treatment-Peroxide is not a good choice normally
Remember too that Hydrogen Peroxide is almost never better than chlorine. Because chlorine is very inexpensive. And Hydrogen Peroxide is very expensive. Also, peroxide can coat minerals in filter tanks. And this can cause expensive service calls for mineral replacement. Many companies love to sell these types of products for residual income. So buyers beware. Most companies that recommend peroxide are just selling an over priced system. Many water treatment systems sold today can be harmed by peroxide and require expensive repair calls. Especially oxidizing backwash filters.
Well water filtration systems that last for many years
We always want your water treatment equipment to last for years. And for you to save money. There are times that we do recommend a UV to correct ecoli or coliform. But it is fairly rare because of other contaminants or substances that are present in the water supply that is being treated. We always take the time and explain everything to you so that you end up with the best equipment, the right equipment and the most affordable equipment. It is always best to speak with a knowledgeable water tech by phone initially. As there are a few variables to consider.
WaterFiltersOfAmerica.com: Premium equipment at budget prices!
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