Ultraviolet water purification has become the most widely-accepted form of “final barrier” water treatment because UV can destroy 99.99% of waterborne microorganisms.
The U.S. water supply is arguably one of the cleanest in the world. But recent studies have found that despite treatment at U.S. municipal water plants, contaminants are still being found in water entering homes. A 2009 report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that “threats to drinking water are increasing” and that “we can no longer take our drinking water for granted.”
Three Reasons Why Contaminants May be in Your Water Post Treatment
Even with the Safe Water Drinking Act and increased environmental awareness, millions of Americans still drink unsafe tap water each day unknowingly.
1. Aging Infrastructure: After water is treated at your local municipal treatment plant, water often travels through miles of piping before reaching your home. Leaching pipes and corrosion are common culprits in introducing contaminants to the water stream. The EPA estimates that to fix the problem by repairing or replacing the aging water infrastructure would cost nearly $335 billion. And this won’t happen anytime soon.
2. Lack of Regulation: There are 60,000 chemicals used in the U.S. Yet, The Safe Water Drinking Act only dictates regulation for 91 of those contaminants. This means any of those 59,909 chemicals (not on the EPA list) could show up in our water and be completely undetected–including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, disinfection by-products, and more. A Harvard study conducted in 2016 found unsafe levels of industrial chemicals in the drinking water of 33 states affecting six million people.
3. Main Breaks and More: Each year, there are more than 240,000 water main breaks in the United States, not to mention power outages, backflow contamination or loss of pressure. When these incidents happen, contamination can occur and “Boil Water Notices” are issued. Unfortunately, boil water alerts are many times overlooked or residents simply don’t get word of the advisory.
The three above-mentioned reasons are enough to make many people concerned about what’s in their drinking water and to seek a purification solution.
The Final Barrier Solution: Ultraviolet Water Disinfection
Waterborne pathogens cannot be removed 100% of the time with conventional water treatment methods. Thus, solutions for “final barrier treatment” have become the topic of much discussion. In simple terms, a water purification system is used to provide a “final barrier” to protect residential and commercial drinking water prior to use or consumption.
Ultraviolet (UV) water purification is the most widely accepted form of “final barrier” treatment. Even if corroding pipes introduce contaminants or your neighborhood is on a boil water alert, a whole-house ultraviolet system is one way to ensure your water is safe from harmful microorganisms, and give your household peace of mind.
What Can UV Remove?
UV is a safe, chemical-free way to treat water and is effective in destroying 99.99 percent of harmful microorganisms, including:
- Bacteria
- coli
- Viruses
- Giardia
- Typhoid Fever
- Polio
- Cryptosporidium
- Coliform
- Salmonella
- Cholera & more
Nine Benefits of Ultraviolet Water Purification
1. Cost Effective: water treatment can be expensive. But UV is a cost-effective way to have safe, bacteria-free water in the home.
2. Low Maintenance: Changing the UV lamp once a year is typically all that is required.
3. Powerful Filtration: A UV water disinfection system destroys 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and cysts.
4. Energy Efficient: Only uses as much power as a 40-watt light bulb.
5. Entire Home Treated: A UV system will treat all the hot and cold water entering your home.
6.Quick: Some filtration methods require time for chemicals to work or holding tanks. UV purifies the water instantly as water flows under the UV light.
7. Taste & Odor: Chemical disinfection methods change the taste and odor of water, but ultraviolet does not.
8. Clean & Safe: With UV, there’s no handling of chemicals.
9. Reliable: UV works around the clock, 24/7 to consistently keep your water safe.
To learn more about UV final defense barrier and get pricing on a system for your home or business, let us put you in touch with an authorized WaterTech dealer near you.
