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ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION OF WATER FOR SMALL WATER SUPPLIES
Citation:
Carlson, D., R. Seabloom, F. DeWalle, T. Wetzler, AND J. Engeset. ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION OF WATER FOR SMALL WATER SUPPLIES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-85/092 (NTIS PB85239960), 1985.
Description:
In the study ultraviolet radiation was considered as an alternative means of disinfection of small drinking water supplies. A major impetus for the study was the large increase in waterborne disease episodes in the United States whose etiologic agent, Giardia lamblia, was found to be highly resistant to conventional chlorination. While the germicidal effect of sunlight has long been known, it has been found that artificial UV radiation with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, can be produced by low pressure mercury vapor lamps. The inactivation of microorganisms by UV radiation is based upon photochemical reactions in the DNA which result in errors in the coding system. Inactivation of microorganisms due to exposure to UV is proportional to the intensity multiplied by the time of exposure.