UV Light Disinfection

While nation-wide studies do not exist, smaller scale studies have commonly found that between 20 and 40% of wells in any given region suffer from E.coli  and/or coliform bacteria at any given time � not to mention the countless other microorganisms that may be in a water supply.

The fact is that the quality of well water can vary from day to day and from year to year. In the short term, things like heavy rainfalls or snow melt can affect water quality. In the longer term, quality may be affected by distant contamination sources, earthquakes, and other factors.  Water that has been safe for years will not necessarily be safe tomorrow.

Around the world, governments invest heavily in order to assure the safety of the drinking water for their citizens. However growing pollution and the costs of maintaining distribution networks make boil water advisories increasingly inevitable. Beyond the inconvenience they cause, such advisories are a clear warning that the clean water we`ve taken for granted is becoming a scarce resource. In May, 2000, 220 communities in British Columbia and 250 in Newfoundland faced boiled water advisories.

Although we can`t see UV light, we are exposed to a small amount every time we step out into the sun. In fact, UV light is responsible for sunburns. The water treatment industry uses special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength;in order to disinfect water.


UV light works by attacking the genetic core (DNA) of bacteria and viruses, destoying their ability to function and reproduce. The process is simple but effective: our systems destroy 99.99 percent of harmful microorganisms without adding chemicals or changing your water`s taste or odour.

There are some very important reasons why homeowners and large cities are choosing UV technology:

Highly Effective For over 25 years, UV light has been trusted as a safe, cost-effective way to purify water and eliminate harmful microorganisms. It`s a proven, EPA-endorsed technology that has been chosen by thousands of cities, bottled water manufacturers and others around the world.

Chemical free: UV provides water purification without the addition of harmful chemicals like chlorine. It also avoids the potential of generating harmful chemical disinfection by-products. Recent EPA guidelines are forcing cities across the US to reduce or eliminate the use of chlorine for exactly these reasons.

Taste & odor free: UV does not change the taste, odor or color of water

More effective than chlorine: Unlike chlorine, UV is effective against both Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Compact and easy to maintain: A TrojanUVMax system, capable of treating the water for an entire home, is less than 20" (50cm) in length and fits just about anywhere. And the only maintenance is an annual lamp change!

Like any product, UV systems come with certain features that enhance the products performance. Below are some of the important features to look for in a UV product. The level of disinfection you require:

• The dose is the amount of UV applied to your water. The higher the dose, the higher the percentage of pathogens killed. There are three standard doses, and our systems can be sized to meet the dose requirements of your application:
• 16: an added level of confidence for safe water supplies such as municipal water
• 30: a standard dose for industrial applications, typically using safe water supplies
• 40: dose recommended to assure the safety of water from potentially unsafe water   supplies, such as wells, lakes and rivers.

Timer:

• We introduced the concept of automatically notifying owners of the need to replace their lamp every 12 months, relieving them of the need to remember this maintenance requirement. Our systems even warn you when the end of the 12-month period is nearing.

Compact footprint:

•  The lamp within a UV system must be removed and replaced annually, requiring clearance. Therefore, the size of a system, which is determined by lamp technology and other factors, is critical.

Ease of maintenance:

•  Regular maintenance should not be a hassle. In fact, look for systems that do not require any tools for regular maintenance.

Sensor:

• A sensor indicates when insufficient UV light is getting through the water. It provides the ultimate confidence in the second-by-second operation of a UV system.  

Shut-off valve:

• When your system tells you there is a problem, you want to be sure that potentially contaminated water does not go beyond the UV system. That is why it is important to verify that the system you purchase comes with an optional shut-off valve.

Certification from NSF: 

• NSF International is the leading authority on residential water treatment system testing. For greater confidence that the system you buy will perform as specified, look for systems that have been certified against the rigorous requirements of NSF Standard 55 Class A.

Certain states and provinces regulate the sale of UV systems for residential applications. Some require NSF certified products, others have their own standards. TrojanUV systems are certified and/or endorsed by all states and provinces that regulate the sale of residential UV systems.

States and provinces regulating the sale of residential UV products include: California, Wisconsin, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and Quebec.

If you reside in one of these regions, your local water treatment dealer should be familiar with any regulations affecting your choice of UV systems.

NSF Certified products are tested to stringent standards by NSF International, an independent testing organization and the leading authority on water treatment systems. The TrojanUVMax Pro Series products are certified against the rigorous requirements of NSF Standard 55 Class A - the standard for UV purification systems.

From performance to manufacturing, NSF Standard 55 Class A certification ensures water treated by a TrojanUVMax Pro Series product is safe. In fact, certain states require UV systems being installed to be Class A certified! It`s just another way we try to bring you peace of mind.