UV Pure Case Study appeared in the November 2011 issue of WC+P International
(Developed/Written/Edited and submitted by Dan Garwig, UV Pure Technologies Media Relations) (9/8/11)
Providing Peace of Mind for Vermont Residents
It was July 2010 and the State of Vermont had a perplexing problem that was proving to be a major challenge.
Schools and daycare centers across their state were going to be starting up again in less than six short weeks
and many schools were having problems with their drinking water systems. Two years earlier, the state had
installed water treatment systems at approximately sixty schools and daycare facilities.
These systems were in place to provide compliance with the State of Vermont Water Supply Rules and to
provide protection and peace of mind for the schools and daycare facilities. Specifically, The State of Vermont
required Non-Transient, Non-Community water systems to provide the ability to disinfect if coliform was
detected. This requirement was due to the lack of disinfection capability for water supplies that might be
contaminated by surface influence.
At the time of these requirements, the schools and daycare facilities could choose between chemical
disinfection (typically chlorination), and UV treatment systems (they were not required to choose UV over
chemicals). Each of the respective water system’ owners (i.e., the schools and daycare facilities) made an
individual choice. The treatment systems were sized based on peak maximum flow (or, in some cases, the size
of the well pump). Most of the water treatment needs were more than adequately met with one 30 gpm unit
with one system in reserve.
Of the approximately sixty schools and daycare facilities that had new water disinfection systems, about half
(30) chose chlorine and the other half chose UV treatment systems. Of the thirty schools and daycare facilities
that chose UV treatment, fifteen of the UV treatment systems were from one supplier and fifteen systems were
from another supplier. Both suppliers’ UV disinfection systems were on line to provide critical barrier
protection against bacterial contamination.
Problems Plague One Supplier’s UV Treatment Equipment
Shortly after the UV disinfection systems were installed and started up (within the first 60-90 days), the
schools and daycare facilities that had UV equipment from this supplier began to experience operational
problems.
These problems included:
The original supplier’s UV disinfection units either went into alarm condition mode for no apparent reason.
Or, in some cases, their system would simply shut down and cease operating, again for no apparent reason.
Every time this occurred, the schools and daycare facilities would have to respond to the problem. This
required the schools/daycare facilities to:
- Inspect any units that were experiencing problems
- Disassemble affected units
- Clean the quartz tube inside the particular unit that was no longer operating
- Re-assemble the affected unit and restart it
Frustrating Times
The original supplier’s alarm and shut down problems continued to occur for over a year. While the supplier
was working cooperatively with the State of Vermont, and while there were no reports of diminished water
quality as a result of their equipment failure, the situation became a source of frustration for the approximately
fifteen schools and daycare facilities that were using the supplier’s disinfection equipment. The schools and
daycare facilities that were experiencing problems were also losing confidence in the supplier’s UV equipment.
All in all, it was a frustrating time for the schools and daycare facilities.
The Original Supplier’s Under-performing UV Equipment Replaced with UV Equipment from a New
Supplier
As a result of these delays, and due to the fact that the original supplier was not able to definitively solve their
equipment problems, the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation decided to allocate
monies from the State Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The Vermont DEC contacted all of the affected schools
and daycare centers and gave them the option to replace the original UV disinfection equipment with UV
disinfection equipment from a new supplier.
The new supplier was given the opportunity due to the fact that their equipment had been previously installed
at fifteen schools and daycare centers. Those installations were operating with no problems and were already
performing to everyone’s expectations. In total, 12 of the 15 schools and daycare facilities that were using the
original supplier’s equipment chose to use the state funds to replace the existing, under-performing equipment
with UV Disinfection systems from the new supplier which was previously installed at fifteen other schools in
daycare centers in Vermont.
Today, all but three of the thirty schools and daycare facilities with UV units now have UV Systems from the
new supplier. The new supplier’s systems are providing a primary barrier and the second system serves as the
emergency back-up system in the event of maintenance or failure of the primary system.
The new supplier’s UV Disinfection Equipment has a number of highly effective features and is truly state of
the art (see sidebar for additional information).
The New Supplier’s UV Treatment System’s Gets the Job Done!
The UV systems from the new supplier that replaced the original supplier’s equipment have been operational
for at least six months (as of August 2011) and, in some cases, more than a year, and they are performing
extremely well on all levels. In addition, the new supplier’s UV systems that were installed in 2008 are
performing without any significant maintenance or operational problems. This was reiterated in a July 30, 2010
Vermont DEC letter, which noted that most of the schools and daycare facilities that already were using the
new supplier’s systems “had very few problems.”
Sidebar:
The New Supplier Performance: Interestingly, according to the State of Vermont Agency of Natural
Resources, the “performance” characteristics between the new supplier’s and the original supplier’s UV units,
on paper, were identical. However, the problems related to the original supplier’s UV treatment systems
became apparent after they had been installed. A significant amount of operator maintenance was required to
keep the original supplier’s systems fully operational.
Conversely, the new supplier’s systems required very little maintenance for the same level of performance and
same level (capacity) of water treatment. This factor was a key motivation behind the State of Vermont’s
decision to assist those owners who had the original supplier’s UV units.
Also, in three cases, rather than keep one of the original supplier’s system as a “short-term emergency backup,” the schools and daycare facilities opted to completely replace the original supplier’s UV systems with an
equal size system from the new supplier.
During the time that the new supplier’s systems have been operational, both the users and installers alike
noted how easy it is to install, use and maintain them. The new supplier’s UV lamps can be easily accessed for
changing and the dual smart sensors allow users to continually monitor water quality.
The new supplier’s dual smart sensors are mounted in the air, not in the water like those typically found in
other types of UV systems. This is very important since water with dissolved minerals and gases can severely
limit the effectiveness of water-mounted sensors. One of the sensors monitors UV transmissiveness in water,
which makes it much easier for system operators to know if it is a UV bulb, or if the system might need
cleaning. The new supplier’s sensors are also more reliable indicators of system performance.
Mark Youngstrom, a licensed Professional Engineer with Otter Creek Engineering in Rutland, Vermont had
his firm choose the new supplier’s UV disinfection systems for Vermont schools and small commercial
buildings. That choice was made due to the fact that the units (from the new supplier) had worked flawlessly.
In several cases, Otter Engineering’s clients had replaced newly installed units by another manufacturer, with
the new supplier’s units.
Another aspect of this project that drew raves from the state of Vermont was the new supplier’s quartz lamps
were not located in the quartz tube. They are air-cooled and maintain consistent levels of UV output for
maximum pathogen deactivation. Additionally, the water flows through the quartz tube, which contains an
automatic cleaning device that prevents mineral deposits or fine air bubbles from accumulating on the tube’s
surface. This automatic cleaning device eliminates most of the alarm issues and is not available from the other
manufacturer. The alarms are computerized and have an auto shut-off fail-safe valve so users, like those in the
state of Vermont, have the peace of mind knowing that only safe water can enter their water system.
Heartfelt Accolades from the State of Vermont
In addition to performing exceptionally well on multiple levels, the new supplier’s systems are easy for the
schools and daycare facilities to use and maintain. The fact that water-softening equipment was not needed at
the front end of the treatment process, solely for protection of the UV system operation, was a big
consideration. That factor, combined with the fact that all of the new supplier’s systems are self-cleaning,
significantly reduced the schools’ labor costs.
Mike Carey, a Construction Engineer for the State of Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, was very
pleased that the schools had peace of mind and a proven barrier against bacterial contamination, without
having to use chlorine or other chemicals for disinfection. Carey was also pleased that the water quality is
consistently meeting drinking water standards for bacterial treatment at the schools and communities where
the new supplier’s systems are operating. The support that the State of Vermont had received from the new
supplier throughout the entire selection and review process was exceptional. The change over from the
original supplier to the new supplier was nearly effortless.
The new supplier, which has more than 10,000 UV systems installed in North America, Australia, China and
Brazil, was very pleased that their company was able to partner with the residents of Vermont and provide a
happy ending for the schools, daycare facilities and communities themselves.
Accompanying Sidebar: see next page
Sidebar: The New Supplier’s Technology--Risk Free & Fail-Safe
An evolutionary leap in UV water purification technology, the new supplier’s technology is designed to solve the risky
problems inherent in conventional UV systems.
The New Supplier’s Technology Provides Highly Effective UV Treatment
The new supplier’s technology incorporates two proprietary high-output UV lamps, with elliptical reflectors, that target
pathogens with radiation from 360º, resulting in the highest UV dose possible (65 mJ/cm) to deactivate pathogens and
provide safe drinking water.
Practical, Innovative Dual, Smart Sensors – The new supplier’s technology uses dual smart UV sensors
mounted in air, which cannot foul and are more reliable indicators of system performance. Lamps are aircooled and maintain consistent levels of UV output for maximum pathogen deactivation. Computerized
alarms and an auto shut-off fail-safe valve are on board so you know only safe water can enter your water
system.
Self-Cleaning Stainless Steel wipers – The new suppliers technology uses a stainless steel wiper to clean the
inside of the quartz tube eliminating quartz fouling and the need for a water softener making abrasive quartz
cleaning a thing of the past - saving money and the environment.
Virtually Maintenance Free
The new supplier’s technology utilizes two lamps mounted in air, outside the quartz tube so maintaining
Hallett is as easy as changing a light bulb with no system draining required.
Easy to Install
The new supplier’s technology employs flexible FIP for quick and simple installation.