|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Ultraviolet Method for Water Purification

There are many different types of water purification systems utilizing various mechanisms to clean water and make it drinkable. Ultraviolet purification systems are an alternative to chemical disinfectants and can help ensure your water is as safe as possible.

  1. Ultraviolet

    • These systems are based around the fact that microbes and microorganisms are susceptible to high doses of ultraviolet radiation.

    How It Works

    • In this type of purification system, the water is passed across a sealed ultraviolet bulb. The concentrated dose of ultraviolet radiation kills and sterilizes bacteria and other microorganisms, rendering them harmless.

    Advantages Over Chlorine

    • Ultraviolet treatment can replace the use of chlorine to disinfect water, reducing the hazards of dealing with the corrosive chemical as well as improving the water's taste.

    Filtration

    • Ultraviolet purification does not, however, affect dissolved solids, sediment or other objects that might be suspended in the water supply, requiring physical filtration to completely clean water and render it drinkable.

    Safety

    • Keep in mind that ultraviolet treatment only kills the bacteria that currently exist in the water as it passes through the system. Water can still pick up bacteria or other microorganisms from other sources, so purification should be done as close to the point of use as possible.

Public Health - Related Articles