Do UV Water Filters Work?

Do Ultraviolet Water Purification Systems Work?

Yes, UV water purifiers are very effective at removing microbiological contaminants such as  bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, and cysts. Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purification is a proven technology that uses UV light to kill 99.99% of harmful microorganisms in water.

UV water filtration is a safe, chemical-free way to treat water. Today, Ulatraviolet (UV) water disinfection systems are used around the world in millions of businesses and homes. 

How Does Ultraviolet Water Purification Work?

During the ultraviolet water treatment process, water passes through a UV water filter system and all living organisms in the water are exposed to UV light which attacks the genetic code of the microorganism and rearranges the DNA making it so the microbe can no longer function and reproduce. If a microorganism can no longer reproduce, it cannot replicate, therefore it cannot infect other organisms with which it has contact. 

In simple terms, UV systems treat water at the right light wavelength, thus destroying the DNA of bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, and cysts.

Learn more about the UV water filtration process at https://www.espwaterproducts.com/understanding-uv/

What Do UV Water Purifiers Remove?

UV water sterilizers are effective in destroying 99.99 percent of harmful waterborne microorganisms, including:

• Cryptosporidium
• Bacteria
• E.coli
• Cholera
• Flu
• Giardia
• Viruses
• Infectious Hepatitis
• Typhoid Fever
• Dysentery
• Cryptosporidium
• Polio
• Salmonella
• Meningitis
• Coliform
• Cysts

How Long Does it Take UV light to Kill Bacteria in Water?

The UV water purification process is quick! As water flows through the UV chamber, bacteria and other waterborne microbes are killed within ten seconds. The UV water disinfection process utilizes special UV lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength. These UV waves (referred to as the Germicidal Spectrum or Frequency) have the ability to disrupt the DNA of microorganisms. The frequency used in killing microorganisms is 254 nanometers (nm).

Why Use a UV Water Filter?

The UV system will expose water to UV light and effectively destroy 99.99% of harmful microbiological contaminants in the water. The integrated prefilter will filter out sediment, heavy metals, etc to ensure the UV system can do it's job effectively.

In the UV water treatment process, water is fed through the UV system's chamber where light is exposed to the water. The UV light damages the microorganism's cellular function so that it is unable to grow or reproduce, and therefore dies.  

As long as UV light is applied in the right dosage, UV treatment is effective against all bacteria (including Cryptosporidium and Giardia that have thick cell walls). UV light also works on viruses and protozoa.  

As a general rule, we recommend our customers install an integrated UV water filter WITH an RO drinking water system. This way, you get the best of all worlds! Microbiological contaminants are removed by the UV system and the reverse osmosis filtration system removes Fluoride (85-92%), Lead (95-98%), Chlorine (98%), Pesticides (up to 99%), and many other contaminants.