Nowadays, most people are concerned about their health, including the quality of drinking water entering their homes. Private well water is one source of drinking water in many homes today. However, many private wells face the risk of contamination from natural and man-made pollutants that seep underground. These contaminants can pose health risks, and the consumption of such water can also lead to illnesses.
Due to these health concerns, people look for different ways of treating private well water. One of these options is UV water treatment. UV water treatment involves using ultraviolet light to destroy microorganisms and pathogens in water. However, this poses the question, how effective is UV light in treating private well water? Read on to learn if UV water purification works or not and the advantages of using it.
The Dangers of Private Well Water
Well water comes from underground water seeped into the earth from the surface. As the water moves underground, it can easily pick up all kinds of contaminants from human activities and natural occurrences. This is why it’s important to test your well water regularly, filter it, and disinfect it before using it for drinking.
Some contaminants commonly found in well water include heavy metals like lead and copper. In addition, organic chemicals and nitrates found in fertilizers also wash off and find their way into wells. These impurities can be removed through filtration.
However, even after filtering your water, microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites still risk contaminating your water. These pathogens can cause infections and gastrointestinal illnesses. This is where UV water purification comes in. UV light has been proven to be one of the most effective ways of disinfecting water. Moreover, it has gained popularity because it doesn’t use any chemicals.
How Does UV Water Disinfection Work?
A UV water technology system utilizes ultraviolet light to kill the microorganisms found in water. Most of these microorganisms cannot stand the UV light as little exposure to the light destroys their DNA. This prevents them from reproducing, so even when you ingest them they will not multiply in your gut and cause illnesses.
When used properly, UV water filters disinfect and kill up to 99.99% of the bacteria and viruses in your private well water. However, the water should not contain too many heavy minerals or suspended particles for UV light to work effectively. This is because these elements can limit the effectiveness of the UV water purifier.
Are UV Water Filters Effective In Removing Private Well Water Contaminants?
UV water purification systems only target microorganisms, which means they do not remove other pollutants from your well water. As mentioned above, the presence of these water contaminants can reduce the effectiveness of the UV purification system.
These particles can create blind spots where the UV rays will not reach the microorganism by building grime on the surface of the glass sleeve. This affects the amount of light that can pass through and increases the risk of harmful microorganisms in the water even after treatment.
Steps in Making Private Well Water Potable
- To make private well water potable, you can first use pre-filtration systems to remove the suspended particles and heavy minerals in the water. A pre-filter will work well in removing debris, and absorbing compounds, fibers, and sediments that can block the bacteria from the UV light.
- Next, use a water filter to remove chemical contaminants and heavy metals. Many water filters available today can get rid of organic chemicals, chlorine, salts, and heavy metals with 99% accuracy.
- After filtration, you can then proceed to use a UV water filter to destroy the pathogens left behind.
This three-step process ensures you get the most out of your UV water purifier and drink safe, contaminant-free water.
What Are The Pros Of UV Light Water Treatment?
- First, UV water treatment can effectively disinfect water and make it safe for drinking if used with pre-filtration systems.
- Another advantage of this water treatment method is that it is chemical-free.
- In addition, UV water technology is environmentally friendly and a reliable water treatment source.
- UV light is a good alternative to chlorination as there are no by-products that result from water treatment.
- It is also a reliable water treatment method as it functions every day of the year to keep your water safe for drinking.
- Besides that, UV purification systems do not alter the taste and smell of water, so you can rest assured that your water’s freshness is preserved.
Are There Any Downsides of UV Light Water Treatment?
The only downside of UV water disinfection is that it does not eliminate all the contaminants found in water, only the microorganisms. You will, therefore, require other filtration methods to remove sediments, chlorine, salts, and heavy metals.
Final Verdict
UV light water treatment is an excellent option to disinfect your private well water when combined with a pre-filtration system. This water treatment method will kill 99.99% of microorganisms without changing the taste of your water or adding any chemicals, making it safe for drinking. Therefore, try UV water purifiers if you want to remove pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites from your private well water.
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