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ReviewedLast reviewed: 2026-06-15

UV Disinfection

Ultraviolet disinfection inactivates pathogens by damaging their nucleic acids with UV-C light, providing chemical-free disinfection with no disinfection-by-product formation and strong efficacy against chlorine-resistant organisms such as Cryptosporidium.

Strengths and considerations

UV leaves no residual, so it is often combined with a small chlorine dose for distribution-system protection. Dose delivery depends on water UV transmittance, lamp aging and fouling, so validated reactors and monitoring are essential.

At higher doses, combined with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine, UV drives advanced oxidation for trace-organic destruction — the basis of the UV/AOP step in potable reuse.

References
  1. [1]Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual. US EPA, 2006.
  2. [2]White's Handbook of Chlorination and Alternative Disinfectants. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.