UV Reactors are systems that allow potable water to flow through short-wave light from Ultraviolet lamps. Ultraviolet light possesses germicidal effectiveness which provides rapid inactivation of micro-organisms found in water through incapacitating them of reproducing and causing infection. Two unique attributes of the UV method of water disinfection are that:
- Nothing is added to the water which eliminates the possibility of disinfection by-products hence guaranteeing odour and taste elimination.
- UV disinfection is not affected by temperature, pH or the feculent nature of water.
Upon exposure to germicidal UV light, Bacteria, Protozoa and Viruses nuclei are photochemically damaged leading to their inability to reproduce and cause infection. The method of UV sterilization has demonstrated 99.99% efficiency in the neutralization of pathogenic organisms specifically those responsible for Cholera, Giardia, Typhoid, Hepatitis and Cryptosporidium amongst many. In addition to this, the destruction of chemical contaminants in potable water such as agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals and industrial solvents has also been achieved using UV-aided multi-barrier systems.