UV systems are designed to control bacteriological contaminants found in surface and groundwater supplies, and can treat up to 50 million people. In recent years, medium-pressure UV lamps have been commercialized that operate at higher pressures, temperatures, and power levels, emitting a broad spectrum of higher UV energy between 200 and 320 nm. To achieve optimal disinfection of water with UV rays, it is necessary to administer a dose of UV sufficient to cause higher levels of damage to nucleic acids and overwhelm DNA repair mechanisms.Ultraviolet (UV) water purification is one of the most effective ways to protect against harmful microorganisms. UV light is used to decipher the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, rendering them unable to reproduce and spread disease.
To ensure the effectiveness of the UV light source, the housing must be kept clean. These lamps emit almost monochromatic UV radiation at a wavelength of 254 nm, which is in the optimal range for nucleic acids to absorb UV energy (about 240-280 nm). UV radiation breaks the bonds in the nucleic acids and kills the microorganism. The average cost of buying and installing a UV lamp depends on whether you plan to install the unit yourself.
Installing a UV treatment system is not a substitute for proper well design and construction. However, dissolved organic matter, such as natural organic matter, certain inorganic contaminants (iron, sulfites, nitrites), and suspended matter (particles or turbidity) absorb UV radiation or protect microbes from UV radiation, reducing the doses of UV administered and reducing microbial disinfection. Look for a Class A UV disinfection system. While all UV water purification systems work in well water applications, many systems come with a prefilter or a combination of sediment and carbon prefilters to prepare well water for UV treatment in an all-in-one system.
