Can You Combine Reverse Osmosis with UV Water Treatment?

Combining Reverse Osmosis with UV Water Treatment

Why Combine Reverse Osmosis with UV Water Treatment?

Combining reverse osmosis (RO) with UV water treatment is a powerful approach to achieving comprehensive water purification. Reverse osmosis is effective in removing dissolved solids, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from water, but it may not kill all bacteria and viruses. UV water treatment, on the other hand, is excellent at killing bacteria and viruses, but it may not remove dissolved solids.

Designing a Combined RO-UV System

When designing a combined RO-UV system, it’s essential to place the RO stage before the UV stage. This order of operation makes sense because RO removes the majority of contaminants, including those that can interfere with UV light transmission. The UV stage should then be used to further disinfect the water, ensuring that any remaining bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms are eliminated. A good rule of thumb is to use a RO system with a 3-5 stage design, followed by a UV system with a minimum of 36 watts of power.

Additional Considerations

When combining RO with UV water treatment, consider the following factors: water flow rates, pressure requirements, and electrical power needs. The RO system should be designed to handle the UV system’s power requirements and any additional demands from the system’s other components. Additionally, ensure that the UV system’s output is adequate to cover the total water flow rate of the combined system.