UV Water Filters
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The UV water filter utilizes a different approach to making water safer. This is by using UV light to render any present bacteria incapable of reproducing. It does not filter the water, but renders it safe to drink by killing pathogens in the water with UV light.
It is important to be familiar with all the methods by which naturally occurring and other water sources can be utilized safely. A UV water filter system, unlike many other kinds of filtering devices, is effective against viruses, as well as bacteria, cysts, and protozoa. It is effective for water that does not have large or colloidal particles. Therefore, pre-filtering is highly recommended, to remove these particles.
How UV Water Filter Works?
The way an ultraviolet water filter works is by using UV light, which interferes with the enzyme action necessary for pathogen reproduction. This prevents the microbes from being able to replicate themselves. This type of filter does not remove microbes from the water, but renders them harmless. This type of treatment is excellent for use by itself, or better, as a last stage purification process. Many much larger systems use it in this fashion.
In field trials, user feedback and ratings, the importance of the ability of UV water filtration systems to kill viruses in addition to larger pathogens, cannot be over-emphasized. Without this extra safeguard, many other systems will allow viruses in the water to be unaffected, sometimes causing serious and prolonged illness from unclean water.
SteriPEN Journey LCD Handheld UV Water Purifier
The smallest UV water filter system on the market is the SteriPEN Journey LCD Handheld UV Water Purifier, which carries a lifetime manufacturer's warranty. Reviews on this product by users are excellent. It is reported to kill 99.999% of bacteria, and 99.99% of viruses. Price for this item is around $160 retail, but can be found for $100 from various retailers.
This product can purify 0.5 liters of water in 48 seconds, and weighs 4.9 oz. Since the SteriPEN is submerged in a recommended quantity of water, the device does not hold water. The user is notified by a battery warning LED light when the batteries are getting low.
Meridian Design Muv UV-C Water Treatment
The Meridian Design Muv UV-C Water Treatment device is available at around $50. The manufacturer has made some design changes on this product, but overall the item has met with positive reviews. This is another very small (2.4 oz./9 oz with cover) submersible ultraviolet water filter design which can be used with virtually any water container. It is battery-run, and can recharge in the field from anything up to a 6 volt battery (10-15 times). Microbe destruction is the same as for the SteriPEN.
Both designs are easy to maintain, as they do not hold unclean water, and self-disinfects in the purification process. Both are very small, with water-proof casings, needing no dis-assembly for actual filter cleaning or replacement.