In our last blog, Treating E-coli and Coliform In Your Water – Option One Chlorination and Retention we discussed treating Escherichia Coli (E-coli) and Coliform bacteria with Chlorination and Retention. In this blog we’ll discuss another option that’s effective for treating E-coli and Coliform, UV Water Treatment Systems.

In a UV water treatment system water passes through a stainless steel chamber and a powerful Ultra-Violet light obliterates the bacteria in the water.  Most in-home water treatment sales companies and other inexperienced on-line companies would recommend this system without really explaining much more in detail. There are many things to take into consideration when it comes to UV treatment for your water. The flow rate must be determined AFTER the pressure tank and not based off the well output rate.  Most companies use a UV light that has a wide range flow rate.  Although not completely wrong, we have found that some applications have had too high of flow rate or too low for the water to be disinfected.

The reason we need the flow rate AFTER the pressure tank and not the well out put rate is because virtually all equipment is installed past the pressure tank. Flow rate is much more important then some questionable companies make it out to be and it is crucial that it be known before installing or even purchasing the correct water treatment equipment. UV water treatment can only be used after you have filtered iron out of your water with an iron filter, like the Terminox™, the water must be soft or contain less then  7 grains of hardness and needs to be free of other sediment and turbidity that might “shield” the bacteria and put you and your family at risk. What is “shielding”?  Shielding is the number one reason UV can be a trickier water treatment system to install since most companies don’t filter the water completely prior to the UV.  Most companies will tell you to install a water softener and then the UV, this is negligent as they are ignoring sediment and other contaminants that a water softener will not remove.  We always recommend a Terminox™ iron filter followed by a demand water softener and a 5 micron sediment filter prior to the UV.  If you are going to use UV the above recommendation is the best application you could have.

If you think UV is the choice for you, make sure that you purchase a UV light with an alarm and warning lights and a monitoring system for the intensity of the light.  Whatever choice you make for your water filtration needs, be it a Chlorination and Retention system or a UV system, WaterFiltersOfAmerica.com® is here to answer your questions and make sure that you have the best possible system you and your family. If you have any questions about these systems feel free to give us a call at 1-800-684-0979.

-Water Filtration Wizard