Raising the Bar for UV Water Disinfection with the New Hallett

Following years of development and testing, UV Pure launched the third generation of our popular Hallett UV water disinfection system. As we ramp up production to meet global demand, we want to share how the new Hallett makes safe water more accessible than ever.

Versatile UV water disinfection for diverse needs

The new Hallett offers the same reliable water disinfection for a wide range of applications. Our new product lineup includes models with varying capacities divided into three categories:

Hallett P models for potable water applications, such as commercial and residential use. The 500PN and 750PN are available with NSF 55A certification. The 1000P is available with EPA validation.
Hallett W models for wastewater applications, including industrial use. The 1000W is available with EPA validation.
Hallett R for reuse applications, such as in agricultural and recreational settings. The 1000R is available with NWRI validation for water reuse.

Third-party validation is pending for the Hallett 500 & 750 R, W models.

Our new Hallett 1000 models have been validated for US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performance standards for UV water disinfection to service markets that require EPA validation.

Larger, more powerful units

One of the exciting developments with the third-generation Hallett, is the introduction of high-capacity models. These models can handle flow rates up to 100gpm, up from the previous maximum of 30gpm. For applications requiring higher flows, like municipal water systems, multiple Hallett 1000’s can be connected to allow flows up to 1MGD.

For enhanced performance, these larger units feature amalgam lamps with higher output and an extended lamp life of up to 12,000 hours. Some larger models also come with quad UV sensors to support higher-accuracy measurements of UV dose and UV transmittance (UVT).

Smarter technology and improved design

Incorporating years of feedback from customers, technicians and our in-house experts has helped us make major technology and design enhancements in the new Hallett. Here are a few highlights:

UV dose display to enable hourly, daily, or weekly dose recording
A real-time clock to facilitate troubleshooting with time and date stamps for errors and warnings
A wiper position switch to accurately sense wiper movements in low UVT applications and optimize the wiper parking position
Data logging at 30-second intervals on a USB key
A double door hinge design to allow easier lamp changes and servicing of system components
Improved UV sensor housing to protect sensors during system handling and sensor calibration

Optimized performance and remote operation

Dependable performance is crucial to ensure that our Hallett systems can provide safe water in varying operating environments. That’s why the third-generation Hallett features forced-air cooling to prevent overheating and lamp heaters to enable use in extreme conditions.

Dependability also means that users can trust that their systems are running well, even when they’re not on site. Remote start/stop capabilities mean the new Hallett can remain on standby until a remote signal starts the UV system. The new models also provide more system information to remote operators, allowing them to prevent possible shutdowns ahead of any issues.

Delivering safe, clean water through innovation

Global demand for safe water continues to grow and innovations in water technology are rising to the challenge. As a pioneer in UV water disinfection, UV Pure continues to help customers meet their water needs across diverse industries, applications and markets.

If you would like to learn more about the new Hallett’s technical specifications and how it can meet your water requirements, please contact our business development team.

Safety First: NSF and EPA Certifications for UV Water Disinfection

In this blog post, we examine the role of NSF and EPA certifications for UV water disinfection systems in ensuring water safety and providing peace of mind.

UV systems provide fast-acting, environmentally responsible water disinfection, making them an attractive alternative to chemical water disinfection.

As use of UV water disinfection grows, there is an important question to answer: how do end users know that a system works?

Navigating the certification environment

Given the importance of safe water, it is surprising that neither Canada nor the United States have federal regulations for UV water disinfection in residential settings.

The lack of mandatory standards does not mean there are no standards. For example, NSF International, a globally recognized organization, has created a set of voluntary standards for UV water disinfection technology for home use.

There are different NSF standards depending on the function, size and end use of a product. While not required by law, many manufacturers of UV water disinfection products pursue NSF certification. This shows that their systems meet these minimum performance and safety standards.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is another source of standards for UV water disinfection for public water applications recognized worldwide.

Understanding the certification process

With end users placing their trust in certification, the testing process is understandably rigorous.

Broadly speaking, these are the key elements of the procedure for attaining certification:

The manufacturer submits its UV water disinfection product and detailed documentation to a testing lab.
Professionals at the lab thoroughly review the documentation. They gain a full understanding of how the product is designed and works, including all underlying technology and functional constraints.
They then systematically test the product to ensure alignment between the documentation and actual construction and performance. This includes measuring performance against minimum standards, for example, consistent delivery of a minimum UV dose.
The lab also carries out an inspection of the manufacturer’s production facilities to ensure they are up to standard.
When the product meets all requirements, the product is certified for that specific standard.

NSF logo

Regular retesting and production facility inspections are required for a product to maintain its certification. In addition, re-certification is required any time a manufacturer makes changes to a product and each model must be certified separately.

For NSF certification, testing can be carried out in an NSF International lab or in third-party labs that test based on NSF standards. EPA does not offer its own testing services, so all testing to meet EPA standards is carried out by third-party labs.

Recognizing the value of third-party certification

Third-party certification can help you make an informed decision when purchasing a UV water disinfection system. Safety and reliability are essential no matter where you intend to use this technology. These requirements will be met with certification based on recognized industry standards.

UV disinfection systems intended for use at a public or commercial site (e.g. hospital, campground, hotel, etc.) generally require certification. In these settings, certification is essential for protecting public health, meeting compliance obligations and managing liability.

For residential use, the choice between certified and non-certified systems comes down to personal preference. While non-certified systems may come with a lower price, it is up to the end user to balance this against safety and reliability considerations.

Maintaining high standards at UV Pure

At UV Pure, safe water is our top priority. This commitment is reflected in our adherence to globally recognized safety and technology standards with most of our UV water disinfection products carrying NSF or EPA certifications.

The non-certified products we offer are made to the same high standards as our certified products.

When human health is on the line, there is no room for doubt. NSF and EPA certifications for UV water disinfection systems set the bar high, giving individuals and organizations around the world confidence that their water is safe.

Safe Water Technologies: An Introduction to UV Water Disinfection

Water is used everywhere, from agricultural and industrial to residential and healthcare settings and beyond. Whatever the specific application – whether it’s potable water, wastewater, reuse water, or rainwater – safety is paramount. Here is an introduction to water disinfection. There are many ways to make water safe for use, including various processes for filtration (nano, ultra, and reverse osmosis) and disinfection (chemical and non-chemical). The process or combination of processes used depends on factors, such as the initial water quality, intended end use, logistical and economic considerations.

In this post, we focus on ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection, providing an overview of how it works and how it is evolving.

The water disinfection landscape

In general, there are two main categories of water disinfection technology:

1. Chemical technologies, which include chlorine, ozone, and peracetic acid
2. Non-chemical technologies, which include UV disinfection

uv-water-disinfection-benefits Each technology has a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, chemical disinfection using chlorine is highly reliable and inexpensive, but it poses safety risks in the handling of chlorine and the creating toxic byproducts.

When deciding which technology is best for an application, engineers typically take into consideration a range of factors. Some of those factors include requirements for biocidal efficiency, practicality, reliability, cost, environmental impact and occupational health and safety.

Harnessing the power of UV light

UV water disinfection harnesses the germicidal power of short-wave UV light, specifically at the 254nm wavelength, to damage the DNA of cells and viruses. Applying UV light at this specific wavelength to water renders any microorganisms sterile, thereby disinfecting the water.

The first use of UV water disinfection technology was in 1910. Since then, the use of UV systems has grown as the technology has evolved along with scientists’ understanding of how UV light combats waterborne threats.

Compared to chemical disinfection technologies, non-chemical UV disinfection offers several key benefits in terms of safety and efficacy, including:

Fast-acting, triggering a reaction almost instantly
No disinfection by-products
Safe and chemical-free, avoiding the handling and disposal hazards associated with chemicals
Environmentally responsible technology
Does not alter water chemistry and its constituents, such as pH, taste, odour, colour, etc.
Proven and trusted

Different technologies for UV water disinfection

Since that first application, the sophistication and capabilities of UV water disinfection technology have grown exponentially. While manufacturers offer endless options for UV water disinfection systems, they can all be grouped into two main categories:

Light-in-a-pipe systems. In these systems, pressurized water is exposed to 254nm UV light as it flows through a quartz tube. Light-in-a-pipe systems are advantageous in that they offer greater control over water conditions within the system, like preventing exposure to airborne pathogens. However, they can be costlier to operate given increased energy requirements and maintenance costs.
Channel systems. In these systems, non-pressurized water is exposed to 254 nm UV light as it flows through an open channel. Channel systems are often used to disinfect large water streams, especially wastewater streams, as they can offer lower operation and maintenance costs. However, channel systems are also more vulnerable to airborne pathogens due to their open nature.

As both types of systems have advantages and disadvantages, it’s important for engineers to understand their options to find the best fit for their project.

uv-water-disinfection-benefits

Making water safer with better UV technology

UV systems are already a safe and reliable solution for disinfecting potable water, wastewater, reuse water, and rainwater, only becoming better with continual advances in technology.

Here are a few of the ways in which UV water disinfection technology is becoming smarter and more effective:

UV dose consistency. Maintaining a consistent UV dose ensures the water flowing through a UV system meets the minimum requirements for safe disinfection. Advances in lamp technology allow lamps to be calibrated at a higher intensity initially to maintain the minimum required intensity until the end of their lifespan.
Real-time monitoring. UV systems typically have sensors to indicate when performance falls below minimum thresholds. However, when sensors are poorly calibrated or the cause of an alarm is not clear, it can be a nuisance. Fortunately, smarter sensors and remote real-time monitoring are continually improving reliability while reducing maintenance requirements.
360-degree coverage. Suspended and dissolved solids in water can cause shadowing within a UV disinfection system allowing pathogens to pass through. This challenge is being overcome with smarter system design, such as using dual lamps and reflectors to provide 360-degree UV light coverage that attacks pathogens from all angles.

With some countries actively shifting away from chemical disinfection, due to health and safety concerns, demand for UV water disinfection is growing. Understanding UV water disinfection is becoming increasingly important for engineers around the world.