Do I need to UV my water?

The trekking season is starting, need some help with few dillemas with more experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Last year I got seriously ill for 2-7 days after drinking water from mountain source, which was supposed to be clean. This year I need some filtration or UV treatment, but I don't know how are your practical experiences to help me decide.

Scenario 1: Drinking water from mountain huts in central Europe. They use rain water or cisterns I don't know precisely. Should I use UV lamp of water filter on that water? Preferred method. Would that made it good enough to safely drink it or not?

The thing is they transport water with helicopters to some huts and it is almost as expensive as meal+overnight stay combined if you do hard hikes and drink a lot. And there is environmental issue from plastic bottles. I would like to avoid too much plastic bottles.

Scenario 2: Different flowing rivers in wilderness. There won't be any noticeable pollution or human presence above the water collection. Is UV or water filter enough? I guess probably is.

Scenario 3: Water near pastures in alpine terrain with mountains. The water is usually flowing, but perhaps there is reservoir, pond near cattle and could be not save to drink. Is UV or water filter enough?

Scenario 4: Emergency situation. Need to drink it from a pond, lake. The water is standing, perhaps a little muddy, but without any noticeable human presence.

I don't know there is potential issue with safety of UV lamps. Filters filter out most protozoa and bacterias. UV lamp just destroys part of their DNA and you still ingest that damaged DNA from deactivated protozoa and bacteria.

I don't know, what would you do and what are your experiences in that or similar scenarios.

Regardless of your water source, contaminants can enter your home’s water. Homeowners with private wells are versed in the need to treat their water prior to use, but homes with municipal or “city” water can also be susceptible to contaminants that enter the water after it leaves the water plant.

Treating and removing contaminants is often a process that involves chemicals. But, did you know ultra-violet or UV filtration is a chemical free alternative? UV filters make use of the power of ultra-violet light to disinfect water and make it free from any bacteria or viruses. UV is a clean, natural technology that produces no wastewater and adds no undesirable by-products to the water you drink and bathe in.

With any water treatment solution, homeowners should weigh the pros and cons of each option to find the best solution for their family and home. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of UV filtration.

The Pros

• Energy Efficient- This method uses wattage similar to a normal lightbulb making the use of energy relatively cost effective.
• Chemical-Free- The UV light is the only element used, thus eliminating the use of chemicals to treat the water. Taste and color are unaffected.
• Quick to Clean- The purification process is fast and thus you get water instantly.
• Safe to Use- UV light exposure is linked to skin cancer, but when used with water filtration the process is completed in a closed container.
• Easy to Maintain- Requires only a replacement lightbulb each year and standard filter replacement.

The Cons

• Requires Electricity- The system requires electricity to work, so access must be near electrical supply. If the electricity supply is out or not available then there is no access to clean water.
• Does Not Remove All Impurities- A UV filter will remove bacteria and viruses but is not effective on dissolved impurities such as rust, pesticides, fluoride, arsenic, etc. Moreover, they are not effective on muddy water. Chemical treatment may still be required after the UV filtration is complete.

A UV filtration system is a good option when used with a water treatment system that cleans the water prior to treatment. Water first passes through a basic filtration system and then the viruses and bacteria are treated in the UV water filter.

Trust a reputable water treatment provider to assess your situation and offer the best fit for your home. PURA® ultraviolet systems are available for whole house and under the sink point of use applications. Pura systems incorporate sediment and carbon pre-filters and are reliable and affordable complete whole house filtration systems.

Is UV Filtration right for you?

Contact the water experts at Hague Quality Water of MD for a free in-home demonstration.