UV Disinfection
UV disinfection is a physical, non-intrusive, photo oxidation process which uses UV-C light to inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions rendering the microorganism harmless.
UV offers a distinct advantage over chlorine-based disinfection because of its ability to inactivate protozoa that threaten public health – such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia – making UV disinfection an ideal treatment stage for Drinking Water, Wastewater and Water Reuse facilities.
UV light does not affect the taste, colour, or pH of the water being disinfected and, as such it is often used where conventional chlorine disinfection cannot be applied, such as process water for breweries, bottled water plants and pharmaceutical facilities.
UV-C light, often referred to as Germicidal UV, exists between 200 and 280nm and is therefore invisible to the naked eye. Naturally occurring UV-C rays from the sun are prevented from reaching the earth’s surface by the Ozone layer. However, they can be generated artificially and are central to the UV disinfection process.