ecause the water will already have been treated.

However, for those using a private water supply, UV filtration is crucial. Water that comes from a tank that needs cleaning, or from natural sources like springs and wells could contain harmful micro organisms.

A water filter ensures that you’re only drinking the cleanest water.

What bacteria does UV disinfection remove?

An important distinction to remember is that UV doesn’t ‘remove’ particles.

UV units work to change the DNA composition of pathogenic organisms that could cause severe illness in humans.

UV water treatment systems render such organisms harmless.

A UV purifier is effective against:

• Cryptosporidium (the parasites which cause cryptosporidiosis are resistant to chlorine)
• Giardia
• Dysentery bacilli
• Salmonella
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Streptococcus
• E. coli
• Hepatitis B
• Algae
• Fungi
• Some viruses

UV water purifiers versus water filters

What’s the difference between UV water purifiers and water filters?

Water filters

A water filtration system will remove contaminants, sediment, silt, and harmful minerals from the water. A sediment filter results in cleaner, tastier water that is free from unpleasant colour and smells.

Carbon media within the water filter attracts contaminants before they reach your tap.

Whole house water filters can reduce contaminants like chlorine and lead throughout your property’s water. A whole-house filter system can be adapted to suit your needs.

Shower filters, for example, will help with healthy hair and skin as drying chemicals like chlorine will be removed and you can get the pH balance just right.

Water purifiers

UV filters alone cannot remove germs and harmful microorganisms. This is where you need a water purifier to kill nasty germs like Legionella and E.coli.

Purifiers work by reverse osmosis, distillation, or UV treatment.

Reverse osmosis purifies a private supply by using pressure to push water away from contaminants through a semi-permeable membrane.

Distillation is one of the oldest methods of water purification, relying on evaporation.

UV treatment is the most effective treatment, killing 99.9% of bacteria.

What’s the best UV filter?

As discussed, ultraviolet water treatment is the best method for sanitising water. Which model of UV purifier or filter system you use depends on your needs.

The most reputable models can be found in our shop at our premises in Perth. Get in touch with a member of our team to find enquire about finding the best UV Filter for your home.

When considering a whole house approach, remember that a UV system measures flow rate in gallons per minute. A UV unit needs to handle the flow rates for your home to work effectively.

For example, the flow rate of 1 bathroom is 6 gallons per minute compared to 12 gallons per minute for 3 bathrooms.

Choosing the right uv unit or uv water filters is crucial to maintaining quailty.

We stock a range of water treatment products, including uv filters. Our expert team can help with fitting a new filter system in your home. Call today to find out more.

Are UV filters and purifiers safe?

UV filtration doesn’t use harmful chemicals and is safe to drink. The UV lamps kill germs but don’t affect the taste or colour of your supply.

When drinking UV-treated water you are not exposing yourself to UV light.

Chlorines can replace UV treatments, but ultraviolets are much safer. Ultraviolet light focuses on protozoa that chloroplasts cannot eradicate.

UV systems are much safer for maintenance than chemical disinfectants. Treating water with chlorine involves the use of a storage tank with precise injection.

What is the downside of UV disinfection?

The effectiveness of UV disinfection relies upon water quality.

If high levels of iron or manganese are present, then UV light will not be able to pass through the water to purify it.

One downside of UV contamination is that it won’t protect against contamination in other parts of your private supply (unless you opt for a whole house filter system).

UV treatment also requires electricity to purify your private supply, which means your drinking water will be unsuitable in an emergency when power is unavailable.

Are UV filters environmentally friendly?

UV filters are environmentally friendly because ultra violet is naturally occurring. Furthermore, ultra violet treatment creates no toxic by-products.

How to maintain your UV water treatment system

UV water purification units can last years with regular cleaning and maintenance.

Ultraviolet systems are easy to maintain and designed for continuous operation.

Maintaining UV lights

UV lights ought to be replaced every year. UV lamps use mercury to burn out incoming light wavelengths. Eventually mercury in lamps dissipates.

Generally, UV lamps last about 90,000 hours or 75 days in continuous use.

Dirt can also build up on UV lamps, therefore they need to be cleaned regularly. Dirty lamps will not be as effective.

You can call a professional or clean and change a UV lamp yourself. Simply follow the instructions provided by your manufacturer.

Replacement lamps can be obtained easily and cheaply online. If you’ve lost the instructions, here’s a quick guide from the Scottish Government website:

• turn off the power and let the UV filter cool down so you can touch the bulb safely
• remove the safety cap at the top of the UV system by squeezing the tabs
• remove the lamp sleeve (if there is one) along the sleeve bolt from the chamber
• unscrew the UV lamp
• install and secure the new lamp into sleeve
• secure the lamp and sleeve assembly
• insert the safety cap and plug the system in again

Cleaning of quartz sleeves

Glass quartz covers need to be cleaned to function properly. Check your quartz case when switching lamps to clean and replace quartz sleeves twice a year.

Ultimately, UV water treatment systems are a fast, safe, and reliable method of sterilising potable water and should be your first choice for purifying a private water supply.