Small system disinfection?

Sam Stitt wrote:

I live in a 50-home rural but on-grid community with a well-fed, 40kgal storage tank distribution system. The water is currently untreated. We experiance periodic or seasonal total coliform contamination, and are presently investigating if any alternatives exist to hypochlorite injection at the well pump. Is anyone aware of any similarly scaled systems that use UV or ozonation or other technologies for disinfection? Any suggestions for additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Zane Satterfield - Wednesday, May 12, 2004 03:35:25 PM

To maintain a residual it is best to go with the hypochlorite injection system and it is much cheaper and easier to maintain. Regular non-scented household bleach can be used. Keep at least a 0.2 total chlorine residual at all times in the farthest part of the distribution system. With UV or Ozone you can’t measure out in the distribution system because it leaves no residual.

Tony Crow - Sunday, August 29, 2004 11:38:32 AM

ZANE is right but make sure the household bleach can be use for water disinfection. Here in texas T.C.E.Q.(TEXAS COMMISSION on ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY)has ruled that certain bleach can be used.

Tom Galownia - Wednesday, November 17, 2004 08:31:19 PM

The EPA and state of Nevada are using UV lights for treating public water system. A report can be found at http://www.watertechonline.com/Index.asp. Based on our experience over the past six years, UV definitely works for bacteria, viruses and cyst inctivation. Atlantic Ultraviolet in New York is one company, R-Can in Canada is another. You have to check the water for iron and maganese which can absorb the UV. Best thing is to send sample of your water to UV light mfg and let them tell you if it will work. You will need to slow water flow or increase light intensitiy to 40,000 to inactivate the cysts.