How do scientists use UV (Ultra-Violet) light to treat drinking water? Firstly, its important to note that using UV light to treat drinking water is only a part of the treatment process. UV light treatment occurs during disinfection when water passes through the UV light source. The UV bulb is usually immersed in a protective sleeve that allows UV rays to pass through it and inactivate harmful microorganisms. The UV rays alter the DNA of the microorganisms so they are unable to cause illness when ingested by humans. UV treatment does not add chemicals or change the chemical composition of water, but as part of an advanced water treatment process, is successful at effectively protecting us from waterborne pathogens.
Examples of waterborne pathogens that are inactivated with UV treatment:
Giardia affects humans when the dormant cyst found in contaminated water is ingested. Following ingestion the colonies reproduce in the small intestine causing Giardiasis. UV treatment protects drinking water from this microorganism.
This image is a work of the National Institutes of Health, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan pathogen that causes cryptosporidiosis usually associated with diarrhea. Normally the cyst is ingested from contaminated water. Upon ingestion the protozoa infects intestinal epithelia cells in the small intestine. UV treatment makes drinking water safe from this microorganism.
This image is a work of the National Institutes of Health, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.