How does UV water sterilization work?

How do UV rays work? What is UV water filtration?

Water filtration, or more precisely water disinfection using UV rays, is based on subjecting it to electromagnetic waves. UV rays are rays with a length ranging from 100 to 400 nm, meaning they are a type of light located between visible light and X-rays.
UV light, or simply ultraviolet, has specific properties, which I'll explain in a moment. To produce it, highly technologically specialized sterilizers with emitters containing mercury vapors are needed.
Due to their operation, the entire setup must be tightly enclosed in a steel reaction chamber into which the water we want to disinfect is introduced.

The effect of UV rays on living organisms

UV rays eliminate strains of bacteria as well as viruses and mites, i.e., parasites living in the water. However, the process of bacterial eradication only occurs when the water is directly subjected to UV light. In the case of a sterilizer, this process only occurs in the so-called reaction chamber. Water cannot absorb UV rays, and after exiting the sterilizer, it is devoid not only of bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses but also does not retain UV rays to which it was previously exposed. This allows it to be safely used without concern for the direct impact of UV rays on human or animal health.
Sterilization by ultraviolet rays is therefore not harmful to humans, provided they are not exposed to direct UV radiation. Therefore, the UV lamp mechanism can only be activated when the lamp is inside the reaction chamber, i.e., inside the sterilizer.

What changes in water after UV sterilization?

UV rays do not affect the physicochemical characteristics of water, such as temperature, pH, composition. The only change is the removal of unwanted microorganisms from the water. Their eradication often leads to the disappearance of unpleasant odors or colors, but other than that, the water composition remains unchanged.
It is also important to remember that the effective operation of the UV lamp depends on the proper dose of UV rays. Too low a dose will only partially improve the situation. Fortunately, UV rays, as proven many times, cannot be overdosed when disinfecting water.

UV 4W

NT UV4W-PH

44,99 €

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UV30W-PH - 30W 8GPM

NT UV 30W-PH

179,99 €

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UV Water Steriliser NT UV165W-PH 165W 36GPM

NT UV 165W-PH

529,99 €

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Can UV rays be harmful to humans?

If used for water filtration, they cannot be harmful. However, exposure of the skin and eyes to direct UV radiation should be avoided, which can only occur if the lamp is turned on when it is outside the sterilizer (i.e., outside the reaction chamber). Direct UV radiation eradicates living microorganisms and similarly negatively affects skin tissues. Prolonged exposure of the skin to UV radiation can be cancerous. Prolonged exposure of the eyes to UV radiation has been associated with a higher incidence of cataracts.
Therefore, it is important to use sterilizers in accordance with their intended use and the manufacturer's recommendations. In this way, they are safe and positively affect health.

Does UV filtration have any drawbacks? Filtration or rather UV disinfection?

Properly, we should talk about UV-C disinfection. It is not filtration in the proper sense. It is not a filter that protects against mechanical particles but only eliminates what is most dangerous, i.e., microorganisms. For this reason, it is recommended to place particle filters before sterilizers (which is also used before most devices directly installed in the hydraulic system). Only then can we talk about a properly functioning filtering system.

Proper UV-C sterilization has few drawbacks, although it does not solve all problems, and a good solid particle filter is still needed for full water treatment. UV lamps also have their requirements regarding the water through which they will flow – namely, they do not like gelatinous water, i.e., water with a high iron level. 

Some people will undoubtedly consider the price of the device a drawback – the cost of a decent steel sterilizer capable of serving a single-family home starts at 800-1000 PLN. However, this is a one-time cost, and the subsequent cost of operating such a lamp is only 30-40 PLN per month (the cost of electricity consumption) and the cost of replacing the bulb approximately once a year (around 70-100 PLN). 

We invite you to familiarize yourself with our NORDIC TEC 30W lamp, based on the PHILIPS UVC bulb, which is dedicated to single-family homes with a traditional layout, i.e., one kitchen + one bathroom, serving 2-4 people.