Countries, be it urban or rural communities, are always in need of clean water. As human beings we need clean water to survive, but this means pouring chemicals into water in order to kill bacteria. These chemicals in turn are not always healthy to us, nor is it to our environment.
Think green when it comes to water purification and you will soon find yourself at a solution called UV water purification.
Simply put, an UV water purifier uses ultraviolet light to purifier water. Ultraviolet light is able to inactivate microorganisms. This is exactly what is needed and ultraviolet light is used to purify wastewater and even drinking water.
This form of water purification was first started in the United States in 1916 and, over the years with research and development in UV water purification techniques, the costs of this method have declined.
It is also an effective method when it comes to things such as labor. There is no large need for technically trained personal like needed in facilities that use chlorine disinfection methods. UV water purification is also an estimated 20 000 more economically efficient than boiling water over a biomass cook stove.
There is however still problems with UV water filtration systems. Ultraviolet light cannot reach and inactivate microorganism that are buried within particles in the water. Thus, these microorganisms pass through the purification system without being eliminated.
This can be solved by adding pre-filters to the UV purification system. This will clarify the water, which in turn will make the Ultraviolet light more effective, and it will help to remove larger organisms before entering the UV filtration system.
Something that should also be closely monitored when it comes to UV purification, is the speed at which water flows through the purification system. If the water moves too fast, it will not have enough Ultraviolet light exposure and thus not all microorganisms will be inactivated. If the water flows too slowly, too much heat will be built up and the UV lamp will be damaged.
UV water purification systems can be used in various ways. Installing a UV water purification system in your swimming pool for example can decrease the use of chemicals such as chlorine.
It is also used in air conditioners to disinfect water. The UV purification system within air conditioners removes microorganisms, preventing things such as infections.
Whatever the need, our technologies are becoming more advanced and with this advancement, those who were blessed with brighter minds are figuring out ways to lessen the use of chemicals that harmful to the environment.
It goes to show that sometimes the greener answer is as bright as day. -ANNABEL SCHOEMAN