Ultraviolet Systems
When to Get a UV System
The water issues which suggest the need for a UV:
- Shallow Well 50' or less in depth
- Cistern
- Positive Potability Test - positive for coliform bacteria, fecal coliforms, or e-coli
- You desire extra protection even if you're on a chlorinated city water supply
Ultraviolet is a well documented and tested technology for killing or disabling bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. It's effectiveness depends on the ultraviolet dose and adequate prefiltration and sometimes pretreatment of the water.
How Ultraviolet Systems Work
Water is directed through a stainless steel cylinder into which ultraviolet light is present. As the water goes through the cylinder, it is effectively disinfected by the dose of UV light.
Types of UV Systems
Ultraviolet Systems are available in many different sizes and configurations. Simple systems can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. It is typically necessary to place a 5-micron prefilter ahead of the UV. It is important that the incoming water meet a number of requirements: e.g. hardness no greater than 7 grains/gallon, iron no greater than 0.3ppm, no color to the water, and other requirements.
We are the local Boulder-Denver distributor for R-CAN products. You can go direct to the R-CAN website and click on "Sterilight" for more information.
Some of the options include:
- Solonoid valve which will cut the water supply off if electricity is interrupted to the unit
- UV sensor that can be hooked to an audible alarm or directed to a solonoid valve to shut the water off if the UV dose falls below a certain level.
The systems we install the most are 10-gallon-per-minute or 15-gallon-per-minute models. They are very simple to install and service, have very dependable electronics, and they have audible alarms if the lamp fails.
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This is a 10-gallon-per-minute model - R-Can Sterilight S8Q-PA - horizontally mounted with a blue 5-micron prefilter. The ballast (power supply for the UV lamp) is conveniently mounted in the upper left, away from any splashing that might occur during yearly service. The unit can also be mounted vertically. |
