UV filtration methods eliminate many of the costs and concerns clouding chlorine treatment systems, giving facilities access to reliably cleaner water that both businesses and individuals feel more comfortable using.
Water treatment is a significant cost for manufacturing plants, industrial facilities, and processing centers. While facilities have multiple filtration options to choose from, some have clear-cut advantages over others depending on the purity of water required and the available budget for filtration and reuse. Two comparable systems are UV filtration and chlorine treatments, both of which use molecular processes to kill potential pathogens and organic contaminants.
At Sigma Design Co., we specialize in developing industrial process solutions, including water filtration systems and unique reuse systems such as variable RSS filters for TSS reduction and UV treatment. Learn more about the potential downsides of chlorine-based water reuse systems and the advantages of UV filtration for wastewater management and reuse.
The Hidden Costs and Regulatory Hurdles of Chlorine for Water Reuse
Chlorine water treatments are popular for many applications from first-stage water purification that precedes the release of contaminated water to municipal water systems to keeping swimming pools clean. But they present several outright hazards and potential complications that should make companies hesitate before adopting them.
Some known risks include:
- Disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Chlorine treatments work by chemically reacting with contaminants to neutralize them. However, chlorine doesn’t always fully neutralize them, instead forming potential carcinogens like haloacetic acids (HAAs) or trihalomethanes (THMs).
- Corrosion. Chlorine can corrode pipes, joints, and equipment, which breaks down expensive hardware and can introduce new contaminants into the water.
- Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Chlorine can encourage organic contaminants to develop antimicrobial resistance faster, potentially leading to more superbugs and public health crises.
Chlorine treatment can face regulatory compliance challenges, as well. Different states establish different standards regarding treatment times and contact durations. For example, California sets strict minimum standards regarding chlorine residuals and chlorine contact times for effective treatment. Other states may differ in their requirements. Some regulatory bodies and industries using chlorine treatment have also indicated that standards need to be more rigorous to ensure better safety and efficacy, but that regulatory infrastructure simply doesn’t exist yet.
UV Disinfection: A Faster, Cleaner Kill Mechanism for Critical Inactivation
Like chlorine treatments, UV disinfection works by exposing contaminated water to the treating agent for a sufficient amount of time to kill microbes. In UV processes, a specific band of UV light—UV-C spectrum light at approximately 254nm—at the right intensity is used. The UV light breaks down microorganisms at the DNA level, disrupting cellular functions to eliminate pathogens or make them unable to reproduce.
Compared to chlorine treatment, this offers several immediate advantages. First, there is no development of DBPs that introduce new hazards into the water. UV treatments can more comprehensively neutralize pathogens, microorganisms, and even viruses. This is especially important in water treatment and water reuse applications that require potable water.
UV disinfection processes also integrate well with mechanical or chemical processes that can eliminate inorganic threats. In this way, UV treatments are used as one critical and reliable stage in a more thorough, multi-stage water reuse process.
Calculating the ROI: Moving From OpEx Risk to Sustainable Water Reuse
All companies that want to invest in water reuse processes need to prioritize safety and efficacy. But it’s important to the ultimate ROI and how water reuse solutions fit into the wider operational budget. On the business side of the equation, UV treatment solutions offer benefits like:
- Lower operating expenses. This includes relatively low lamp replacement and energy costs compared to purchasing, delivering, and handling chemicals.
- Simpler system administration. This lowers training and servicing costs.
- Lower maintenance costs. The simplicity of a UV system means easier and less complex maintenance needs.
- Sustainability. UV treatments are more environmentally friendly and can help facilities reach environmental goals and develop a “greener” reputation.
Optimizing UV Performance With Automatic Pre-Filtration
At Sigma Design Co., we specialize in developing practical UV water treatment system solutions that meet the needs of modern industrial and commercial facilities. Our new Model 4614 UV + Automatic Prefilter Process Water System emits germicidal light with a 254-nanometer wavelength. Our systems combine the power of UV light with pre-filtration stages to maximize water clarity, ensuring more of the water’s volume is exposed to light for more effective disinfection.
Turnkey UV Filtration Solutions From Sigma Design Co.
With over 25 years of experience in the water filtration industry, Sigma Design Co. is here to help companies develop and implement comprehensive water treatment solutions that make water safe for reuse. We provide end-to-end system creation services from initial concepts to final system testing, and we build our systems at our UL508a industrial control shop and ASME/AAWS-certified weld shop. Contact us today to talk about your water reuse requirements.