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How to Battle Bacteria in Your Water with UV Disinfection

There are many benefits to treating your water with ultraviolet disinfection. For example, avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach and chlorine.
Posted in Culligan Solutions, Water Filtration System
Protecting your family from bacteria shouldn't be hard. First you find bacteria. Then you treat the water. Finally, you have safer water in your home.
But with so many treatment options available, getting the information isn't always easy. At Culligan, we make it simple.
We suggest disinfecting your water with UV light. While it's a safe and natural way to treat water, it's also low-maintenance. And UV disinfection reduces your carbon footprint.
Let's start with the basics.

What is UV?

UV is short for ultraviolet. And ultraviolet describes a wavelength of energy on the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. The EM spectrum is a term scientists use to show how energy travels in and out of light.
Scientists use words like wavelength and frequency to compare different levels of energy.

More on the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The EM spectrum measures different amounts of energy, and it can be seen in everyday life. Lower levels of the EM spectrum include radio, microwave, infrared and visible. While higher levels include ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray cc.
While some names match their energy level, others are not so obvious. For example, radio frequencies transmit radio signals back and forth. In addition, microwave frequencies create the energy to heat food in a microwave. Opposite these, ultraviolet (UV) is not as well known.
UV light is strong enough to kill bacteria. Because the wavelengths of UV light produce so much energy, they are strong enough to disinfect water, making it safer to consumer.

The UV Disinfection Process

There are several materials needed to disinfect water with UV light.
First, a lamp is needed to generate UV light. Second, a controller works to power the lamp. Third, a UV chamber is necessary for exposing the water to the UV light. And fourth, a quartz sleeve protects the UV light.

Lamp:

The lamp is the heart of every UV system. Because energy comes from light, without the lamp there would be no energy to kill bacteria.

Controller:

Each controller provides power to the UV system. So energy generated from the controller and UV light makes the water safer.

UV Chamber:

A UV chamber is where the contaminated water enters. It is sent through the UV chamber and exposed to the light. Consequently, it kills bacteria and makes the water more safe.

Quartz Sleeve:

Another feature of the system is a quartz sleeve. Its job is to protect the lamp from the activity inside the UV chamber. In addition to protecting the lamp, the sleeve makes sure the correct amount of energy is releases and doesn't change. This results in a constant flow of energy for the water.
Quartz sleeves are made of 100 percent fused silica quartz. And they have a high UV transmittance. So more light passes through the water.

UV-Disinfection-Infographic

Why Should You Worry About Disinfection?

Bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts exist in all different shapes, sizes and forms. The most noteworthy risks in water are crypto, giardia, salmonella and e.coli.

Crypto

Cryptosporidiosis is the official name for this disease caused by microscopic parasites called cryptosporidium. It results in symptoms such as diarrhea, dehydration, nausea, vomiting and fever.
Crypto is found in areas throughout the United States and world. It is one of the leading causes of waterborne illness in humans in North America.
This parasite has an even greater impact on people with weak immune systems. Including those who are receiving treatment for AIDS, cancer and organ transplant. Or anyone using immunosuppressive drugs.

Giardia

Another parasite causing negative health effects such as diarrhea is giardia. Because giardia is a parasite with an outer shell, it is harder to kill with chemicals like bleach or chlorine. So while chemicals have a difficult time breaking down the DNA of the parasite, UV light does not.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a well-known type of bacteria. Which has been known to cause illness for more than 100 years.
There are several different variations of Salmonella. And they are spread through human or animal feces.
Every year in the United States, salmonella causes an estimated:
  • 1.2 million illnesses
  • 23,000 hospitalizations
  • 450 deaths

E. Coli

E. coli is a large and diverse group of bacteria. And it lives in the intestines of humans and animals.
Some types of E. coli cause diarrhea. While others cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory illnesses and other contagious diseases.

Culligan UV Disinfection Solutions

Treating bacteria in water is a difficult process. But lucky for you, Culligan has a solution.
Some benefits of our UV Disinfection include:
  • Low maintenance.
  • Reduced carbon footprint.
  • Harsh chemicals like bleach and chlorine are avoided.
  • Taste, smell and appearance of your water does not change.
  • Low operating costs (pennies per day).
  • Works well with other Culligan water treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, UV disinfection is a great way to kill bacteria in your water. As a natural and safe system you can skip the salt treatments and chemicals.
So call your local water expert today. And learn more about home disinfection you can trust.