Bacteria

The World Health Organization says as much as 80% of all diseases are water borne. Organisms such as: Bacteria, Mold Spores, Legionella, Algae, Protozoans and Viruses can all be eliminated with Ultraviolet Light. For many years, the water treatment industry gas used ultraviolet light to disinfect filter water. With the growing concerns of chlorine, ultraviolet light is an attractive alternative for the following reasons:

You can not overtreat water with an ultraviolet light
There are no harmful residuals added to the water
UV light does not change the water's physical or chemical properties such as: odor, pH, color or temperature.
UV treatment is considerably less expensive to install and maintain
UV treatment can be put on virtually any water supply.

How does UV destroy microorganisms

Ultraviolet energy is germicidal. It kills germs or micro-organisms with high-energy light which penetrates the organism's cytoplasmic or protective membrane. It shifts electrons and attacks the DNA structure, preventing the microorganisms from reproducing, rendering the cell lifeless. When bacteria and viruses are exposed to the proper dose of UV energy, these organisms are harmless.

How much UV energy is sufficient for disinfection

To destroy most bacteria, virus and yeast, 10,000 microwatt-seconds per square centimeter (uw-sec/cm2) or less is required. Germicidal Disinfection units are rated for a minimum dosage of 30,000 microwatt seconds per square centimeter.

According to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the recommended minimum dosage for ultraviolet equipment used in the disinfection process of filtered water is 16,000 uw-sec/cm2.

It should be noted, however, that UV will not kill cryptosporidium or giardia.

RainSoft's series of Ultraviolet light systems will treat your entire house.