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Certified Plumber & Gasfitter
UV Water Treatment Auckland
UV sterilisation for tank water, bore water, and rural properties. Kills bacteria, E.coli, and giardia without chemicals. Supply, installation, and annual servicing.
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0800 322 322
What Does UV Water Treatment Do?
UV water treatment uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in your water supply. The UV lamp sits inside a stainless steel chamber on your water line. As water flows through, the UV light destroys the DNA of harmful organisms — making them unable to reproduce or cause illness.
It's the most effective way to treat untreated water without adding chemicals. No chlorine taste, no chemical residue, just safe drinking water.
Who Needs UV Treatment?
UV sterilisation is essential for anyone who relies on an untreated water source:
- Tank water (rainwater) — Rainwater tanks can harbour bacteria from bird droppings, leaf matter, and insects. UV treatment is the standard solution for making tank water safe to drink.
- Bore water — Bore water can contain bacteria, especially in areas with agricultural run-off or shallow bore depth. UV gives you confidence the water is microbiologically safe.
- Rural and lifestyle properties — Properties outside the Auckland mains supply network often rely on tank or bore water. UV is a must-have for safe drinking water.
- Spring water — Natural springs can be contaminated by surface water infiltration. UV handles the biological risk without affecting the water's mineral content or taste.
What UV Treatment Kills
- E.coli — The most common indicator of faecal contamination in water
- Giardia — A protozoan parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness
- Cryptosporidium — Another protozoan parasite, resistant to chlorine but effectively killed by UV
- Campylobacter — A leading cause of gastro illness in New Zealand
- Viruses — Including norovirus and rotavirus
UV treatment is effective against all these organisms at the right dose — which is why proper sizing and installation matters.
How We Install UV Systems
UV treatment works best as part of a multi-stage system. Here's the typical setup we install:
- Sediment pre-filter (5 micron) — Catches particles, dirt, and debris before the water reaches the UV chamber. This is critical — if the water is cloudy, the UV light can't penetrate properly and bacteria can hide behind particles.
- Carbon filter (optional) — Removes taste, odour, and organic compounds. Recommended for tank water with tannin staining or earthy taste.
- UV steriliser — The main unit. Sized to match your flow rate — typically 20-40 LPM for a residential property. Installed after the pre-filters so the UV lamp gets clean water to work with.
The whole system goes inline on your main supply, usually in a garage, pump shed, or utility area near the pressure pump.
Maintenance
UV systems are low maintenance, but they do need annual servicing to stay effective:
- UV lamp replacement — The lamp needs replacing every 12 months regardless of whether it's still glowing. UV output degrades over time, and after 12 months the lamp may not deliver a high enough dose to kill all organisms.
- Quartz sleeve cleaning — The quartz glass sleeve that protects the lamp gets coated with mineral deposits over time. We clean or replace it during the annual service.
- Pre-filter cartridge replacement — Sediment and carbon filters need replacing every 6-12 months depending on water quality.
We offer an annual service package — we come out, swap the lamp, clean the quartz sleeve, replace the pre-filters, and check the system is running right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UV treatment change the taste of water?
No — UV light doesn't add anything to the water or change its chemistry. Unlike chlorine, there's no taste or smell. Your water tastes exactly the same, just without the bacteria.
Can I use UV on mains water?
You can, but it's not usually necessary. Auckland mains water is already treated and chlorinated. UV is most valuable for untreated water sources — tank, bore, and spring water.
How much power does a UV system use?
Very little. A typical residential UV unit uses about the same power as a light bulb — around 40-80 watts. It runs continuously but the power cost is minimal.
Do I need a pre-filter with UV?
Yes — always. UV light can only work properly in clear water. If there are particles in the water, bacteria can hide behind them and avoid the UV dose. A 5-micron sediment pre-filter is the minimum requirement.
How often does the UV lamp need replacing?
Every 12 months. Even if the lamp is still glowing, its UV output drops below effective levels after a year. Annual replacement is essential for safe water.