In order to satisfy the increasing water quality requirements for potable water, industrial and other specialist water requirements, the removal of biological organisms represents an important requirement. In recent years, a range of disinfection processes, most commonly, chemical dosing and UV disinfection processes have been adopted, in order to address these requirements.
Traditionally, chlorination, or the process of adding chlorine to water, most commonly achieved through the addition of sodium hypochlorite, or less commonly through the injection of chlorine gas, has been utilised in order to destroy common pathogens.
More recently, ultraviolet (UV) based disinfection systems are increasingly being used to reduce or eradicate water borne organisms including algae, bacteria, fungi, viruses, including common pathogens such as E.coli, fecal coliform, enterococci, fusarium, kerboard-bacter, ralstonia pythium and phytobacteria, giardia, legionella and salmonella.
The convenience of UV based disinfection systems is considered by many water treatment operators as a safer alternative to chemical-based dosing systems, however, the most optimal disinfection solutions will depend on the quality of the feed, process or wastewater being treated, and the specific objectives/requirements for the disinfection process.
