Frequently asked questions about UV disinfection

UV-C is a powerful form of ultraviolet light that neutralises microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses by directly damaging their DNA. In nature, this light does not reach the earth because it is blocked by the ozone layer; this is a good thing, as the radiation is harmful to virtually all organisms. By artificially generating UV-C radiation using special lamps, we harness this powerful energy as disinfectant. It is an effective, environmentally friendly method of disinfecting water, air, or surfaces completely chemical-free, without leaving harmful residues.

As soon as UV-C light falls on microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi, the radiation penetrates directly into the core of the cell. Here, the UV-C light causes irreparable damage to the DNA or RNA, the genetic building block of the organism. As a result of this damage, the microorganisms lose their ability to reproduce, and are rendered harmless, meaning they no longer pose a risk of infection. This process is fast and effective; in most systems, the water is fully disinfected within 5 to 10 seconds.

With disinfection, we make water or surfaces safe for use by rendering harmful microorganisms harmless to a level that is no longer dangerous to health. Sterilisation goes a step further: it eliminates absolutely all microorganisms, leaving no living organism behind. Because sterilisation is more intensive and costly, it is mainly used in medical situations where every risk must be eliminated. For most everyday applications, such as drinking water, swimming pools or the food industry, disinfection is more than sufficient to guarantee a safe result.

No, UV disinfection does not alter the taste, smell, or natural composition of the water in any way. UV disinfection is a physical process in which microorganisms are broken down by light. No chemicals such as chlorine are added to the water. As a result, no harmful by-products are formed. All beneficial properties and minerals remain completely intact. The result is safe, disinfected water that tastes exactly the same as nature intended.

A UV system consists of a special lamp installed within a stainless steel/plastic reactor through which the water flows. As the water passes the lamp, the produced UV-C light directly damages the DNA of any microorganism present, rendering them harmless. Sensors within the system continuously monitor whether sufficient light output is being generated and whether the temperature remains optimal for safe operation. This entire process takes place fully automatically and without the addition of chemicals. Van Remmen’s UV systems go one step further; they are validated according to a European standard and are equipped with a special flow plate that directs the water flow in such a way that every drop is guaranteed to receive the exact dose of UV-C light required for reliable disinfection.

Our UV systems are equipped with smart sensors that continuously monitor whether the system is functioning properly. A UV sensor measures whether the lamp is still emitting the correct amount of light, while a temperature sensor prevents the water within a system from overheating. If the light output decreases or the temperature becomes too high, the system automatically generates a warning. This warning can be displayed locally on the system screen, but these warning signals can also be transmitted via Modbus or through our own Remote Monitoring platform. You can then log in online to monitor the system remotely, or you can set up push notifications. This means you do not have to check anything yourself and can be assured of a reliable disinfection process 24/7.

UV disinfection is a versatile solution for a wide range of water treatment applications. It is an effective, chemical-free method of treating water and improving its microbiological quality. The technology is widely used in:

• Drinking water treatment: For the reliable removal of bacteria and viruses from our drinking water.
• Industrial water: Treating process water, wash water, or cooling tower water to prevent biofouling and infections.
• Food and beverage industry: For disinfecting water that comes into direct contact with products or packaging.
• Wastewater treatment: Both in municipal wastewater treatment and industrial application, to enable treated water to be safely discharged or reused.

Yes, UV disinfection is one of the most effective methods for tackling viruses in water. Because viruses are highly sensitive to UV-C radiation, their genetic material is directly broken down as soon as they pass the lamp. With a validated UV system, up to 99,99% of the harmful microorganisms, including persistent viruses, are completely neutralised. This provides a reliable barrier that is often even more effective than traditional chemical disinfection methods.

The lifespan of a UV lamp is typically 8.000 or 16.000 burning hours, depending on the type of lamp used in the system. If the lamp operates continuously, this means that you need to replace your lamp after 1 or 2 years. To make maintenance easier, the system automatically keeps track of the operating hours and provides a notification 100 hours before the maximum lifespan is reached. This gives you plenty of time to order a replacement lamp and ensures the reliable performance of your disinfection process is maintained.

UV-C lamps contain tiny amounts mercury and must therefore not be disposed of with the regular household or company waste. Used UV-C lamps that remain intact fall under the category of hazardous household waste (HHW) and can be taken to an authorised collection point or your local recycling centre. If a UV-C lamp is accidentally broken, different guidelines apply. Because the used quartz glass has a different melting point from standard glass, it is not suitable for glass recycling and must not be placed in a glass recycling bin. In such cases, the broken pieces should be safely packaged and disposed of with residual waste. We recommend ventilating the area for thirty minutes if a UV-C lamp breaks and avoiding direct skin contact with the debris. This is because tiny amounts of harmful mercury may be released.

If you are unable to dispose of the lamp in a responsible way, collect your used UV-C lamps and return them to us in one batch. We will ensure they are recycled correctly. Please see this page for more information.

The effectiveness of UV disinfection is technically expressed as a log reduction, with each step providing a tenfold increase in safety. A 1-log reduction corresponds to a 90% reduction, while a 3-log reduction represents an effectiveness of 99.9%. For most professional applications, we aim for a 3-log (99.9%) or 4-log (99.99%) reduction.

It is important to understand that no disinfection method, including traditional chlorination, can provide a theoretical 100% guarantee. A miniscule fraction of remaining microorganisms is normal and falls within accepted safety standards. The main goal is to ensure that the water is completely safe for its intended use. The exceptional reliability of this technology is demonstrated by the fact that UV systems are used worldwide in some of the most critical applications, including the production of high-quality drinking water and disinfection processes within hospitals.

The main difference between UV-C light and chlorine lies in the nature of the treatment: chlorine is a chemical disinfection method, whereas UV-C is a purely physical process. While chlorine is added to the water as a disinfectant to combat micro-organisms as the water flows through the distribution network, UV disinfection takes place locally and instantaneously within the UV system itself.

A major advantage of UV-C treatment is that no chemicals are added to the water. As a result, the taste, odour, and chemical composition of the water remain unchanged, and no harmful disinfection by-products are formed. Although chlorine provides a residual disinfecting effect within the distribution network, modern and critical installations are increasingly choosing UV-C because of its safety, environmental friendliness, and effectiveness against chlorine-resistant organisms such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Absolutely. UV disinfection is recognised worldwide as one of the safest and most environmentally friendly methods of water treatment. Because it is a purely physical process, no chemicals are added to the water. As a result, the natural composition of the water remains completely unchanged and, unlike chemical disinfection methods, no harmful by-products or resistant bacteria are created. UV-C light effectively deactivates micro-organisms by damaging their DNA, preventing them from reproducing.

To guarantee this level of safety, the systems developed by Van Remmen UV Technology are extensively validated in accordance with strict international standards. Validation means that we can demonstrate, in black and white, that a UV system effectively disinfects water. These independent validations confirm that our installations consistently deliver the required disinfection performance under a wide range of operating conditions.

When purchasing a UV system, several costs need to be considered: capital investment, electricity consumption, and maintenance costs. Although the purchase price of a high-quality UV system is generally higher than that of traditional chemical dosing systems, this difference is often quickly offset by significantly lower operating costs.

Some examples of operational cost savings that contribute to a rapid return on investment include:

• Technical maintenance is generally limited to once or twice a year, resulting in greater process continuity.
• Ongoing chemical costs are completely eliminated.
• UV disinfection does not produce any waste by-products, meaning that 100% of the treated water can be used and there are no costs associated with the disposal or treatment of residual products.

The exact costs will, of course, depend heavily on factors such as the required flow rate and water quality (particularly UV transmittance). To gain an accurate understanding of the potential savings for your specific situation, we would be pleased to prepare a personalised cost-benefit analysis. Please feel free to contact us.