Ultraviolet Sterilization Ultraviolet sterilization is a very effective way to disinfect a water supply. UV sterilizers actually mimic nature's own method of water disinfection. This eliminates the microbes' ability to reproduce, which renders them harmless to humans.
Ultraviolet sterilization is effective in treating for bacteria and viruses.
However, it is not known to be effective on parasites such as cryptosporidium and giardia. Additional methods of treatment should be used if parasites are a concern in your water supply. Historically, chlorination has been the most common method of disinfection, but the use of UV sterilization has been gaining in popularity. When chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, it produces disinfection byproducts, most of which are either known or suspected to be carcinogenic. Ultraviolet disinfection is typically used with private water supplies from streams, lakes, or wells which are known to be bacteriologically unsafe, or in commercial applications requiring additional bacteriological protection.