Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Don Bowen wrote:
> > Don't they use UV radiation?
> > What are the down sides, other than killing good bacteria with the bad.
>
> They are using particle radiation, UV would only kill surface bacteria.

Ah, yes, ok.


> > We are considering a UV water treatment system.
>
> A UV water treatment system uses a UV tube in a clear glass cylinder.  Mater
> must be filtered before entering the UV system as bacteria can hide behind
> particles.  The flow of water through the cylinder must not be too fast or
> there is insuffient killing time.  A method of regular cleaning the cylinder
> must be part of the design.

Right, we currently have two sediment type filters.  We just found a 
site online that will allow us better filtration, down to 1 micron, 
instead of the 15 and 25 we currently use.  Our setup would be a 5 
micron first as the primary, then a 1 micron secondary, and then the UV. 
  We even thought of adding smaller UV units at the sinks as double 
protection.  We haven't decided what the best setup for us would be.  I 
just don't want to chlorinate my water.   The 1 micron filter will 
filter out most cysts and junk, but e-coli 157 is slightly smaller than 
1 micron and it can hide, like you say.  Once we found a supplier of 
smaller micron filters, the UV became a more attractive option.  I have 
a grandbaby now, and I don't want to take chances.


> The biggest problem I have with UV systems is power outages.  There needs to
> be a backup system in place in a UV water purifacation system.  Many UV
> filters have a valve that closes when power fails to prevent contamination
> of the whole water system.

That is not a concern for us, because when we lose power, we also lose 
the ability to pump water.  We have a generator setup specifically for 
the well.  The check valve is good though.
My big worry is to have some kind of notice-an in house alarm of sorts, 
in the event the bulb burns out-which it will.



--
I am having an out-of-money experience.
http://erthnsky.blogspot.com/
EarthNSky Farm, Northwest Georgia, USA