5 key steps to install an ultra violet (UV) household water filtration system
You can save big dollars by knowing how to install a UV water filter system in your house. I’m assuming of course that you already have figured out that the best way to remove dangerous bacteria (Giardia, Cholera, Typhoid, Salmonella, Serratia, E. Coli, Fecal Coliform, etc.) from your drinking water source (surface stream, creek, river, lake or well) is with a UV filter in combination with other pre-filters. Many professional “water purification experts” (most of whom are not even plumbers) will come in and give you a recommendation on a specific brand of UV system (one which they are distributors for or get the best pricing) in the range of $2,500 to $3,000. By knowing what parts and products to buy, you can cut this cost in half or less, and still hire a plumber to actually set it up right for you. Here are 5 easy steps for that not-so-handy man to save time, money and still get ‘er done right;
1. Measure your flow rate
The first thing you need to do to gauge the strength of the UV filter system you need is to measure the flow rate of your water. To do this, turn off all taps in your house. Then go to the tap which is the closest to the place where water feeds into your house – typically somewhere in the basement. Now, grab a watch and a bucket or container where you can measure the volume (litres or gallons). If you have a 1 gallon ice cream bucket, then perfect! Now, start your watch and turn on the tap and time how long it takes to fill it up (remember, 1 US gallon = 3.78541178 liters). If it takes 10 seconds to fill up 1 gallon, then your flow rate is 6 gallons per minute.
2. Choose a particle or sediment pre-filter
The next thing you need to do is realize that in order for a UV water filter sytem to operate effectively, you need to reduce the largest particle size in your water. Bacteria can hide from UV rays in larger dirt or soil particles and slip through a large sediment or screen filter if you are not careful. The standard 1st filter is a 5 micron filter which will remove any particle suspended in your water. You will need to install this filter at the water entry point to your home. Many 5 micron filters using styro-foam or even ceramic cartridges to grab particulate. These cartridges need replacing every 3 to 6 months at least, depending on your water source (e.g. Spring runoff for surface water systems may require a new cartridge be replaced every week). Pre-filters should cost anywhere from $50 to $250 depending on the brand and size.
3. Get the right UV filter
4. Hire a good plumberOK all you cheapo DIY types – here’s where not to cheap out. Hire a decent plumber to ensure that your flow rate is not reduced/comprimized by your fancy new filter set up. Using the wrong size pipe, or too many elbow connections will sap your flow rate and reduce your hot shower down to a trickle. A good plumber will orient your pre-filter (particle/sediment filter) in the right place alongside your UV system, and leave you enough room to maintain them to replace cartridges and bulbs. |
5. Change your filter cartridges and UV bulbs
A clogged sediment or particle filter will reduce your flow rate significantly. You need to stay on top of changing your filter cartridges (they only cost $3 to $10 each, and are cheaper if you buy in volume packs). You’ll need to keep the quartz sleeve that surrounds your UV bulb clean, since when it gets dirty, it’ll block the UV rays from effectively killing water-bourne bacteria. Also, if you run a jet pump like I do that operates with a bladder that always needs to be filled with water – your pump will time-out and turn itself off when the flow rate is below a minimum level.
The average UV bulb will last 1 to 2 years, and gradually degrades in strength during it’s lifetime. It’s generally recommended that you replace your UV bulb annually since it should still have about 80% or more of it’s initial strength after 1 year. If you wait too long, you may have a bulb that still lights, but it won’t be powerful enough to zap those unfriendlies anymore, rendering it essentially useless.
So all tallied, I’m in for around $1,000 in hardware ($200 for the pre-filter and $800 for the UV filter) and $250 for 4 hours plumbing. So $1,250 all-in vs the $2,500 and $3,000 originally quoted by water purification experts. Hopefully reading this article you saved a cool $1,000 to $1,500, not bad! 
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