Patent ID: 7871518

Claim:
A water treatment apparatus for providing activated wash water to washing machines for cleaning clothing, comprising: a water treatment conduit having a water inlet capable of connecting to a supply of water and a water outlet capable of connecting to a water inlet of a washing machine for communicating treated wash water to a tub of the washing machine; a reactor chamber comprising: at least one UV lamp; and a coated metal target capable of generating oxidizing gases in atmosphere upon exposure to light from the UV lamp; an injector for communicating oxidizing gases generated in the reactor chamber into the water treatment conduit; a transparent conduit in a portion of the water treatment conduit disposed for illumination by the UV lamp to treat the oxidated water; a disinfector configured for inserting a disinfectant into the treated oxidated water passing through the water treatment conduit; a controller for activating the UV lamp and the disinfector during flow of water through the water treatment conduit; and wherein the disinfector comprises a disinfectant ion generator capable of inserting silver ions into the treated oxidated water passing through the water treatment conduit.