We recently had a request for consultation for a water treatment system at a dwelling of three people. Well, technically there’s usually two, but their grandson visits daily and often stays overnight so his presence adds to the overall water usage. The two grandparents being seniors puts them into the higher health risk group due to their age. Water systems are unique with their own personalities. Though there may be lot’s of crossover or similarities, there’s usually nuance for each system so the one size fits all approach does not always work. After doing a bit of testing and understanding the customer’s lifestyle, we were able to recommend a few applications to help achieve their goals- The Viqua Arros 9 and a Pentair 20inch filter. At 12lbs, 11inches long and 4inches wide, the Arros 9 is a strong UV sterilizer able to inactivate 99.99% of waterborne pathogens. The 20 inch filter was a 5micron EPM Carbon, able to reduce the sediment to a size the UV system would be effective at treating. We prefer point of entry (POE) disinfection because it addresses all the water that the human body comes into contact with -rather that be showering, cleaning teeth or cooking.
The Set Up
For this specific system, we calculated the maximum flow rate would be 7 gpm (gallons per minute). The largest application of water would be for domestic gardening, so there would be a low flow rate but high overall water usage – hence why we recommended a 20-inch filter and not a 10-inch. The 20-inch would allow enough volume of water to pass without needing to be changed very often, significantly reducing maintenance efforts and enhancing the longevity of the system. We predict it will last 6 months before needing to be replaced, providing ample time for optimal performance. A carbon filter was chosen to aid in improving water taste when compared to just a sediment filter, as it effectively removes chlorine and other undesirable contaminants that can alter the flavor and quality of the water. With UV treatment, a low flow rate is important for the UV-C to be able to have enough contact time to destroy the DNA of the microbes it encounters, ensuring that the water remains safe for use. Too fast of a flow rate can compromise the effectiveness of the UV treatment, as the absorbance of UV-C and the chance of microbe inactivation are reduced, leading to potential health risks. The second important factor is the clarity or UV transmittance (UVT) of the water. If the water is not clear enough to let the UV light through, the system would not be effective. Luckily, the UVT of this water was high, so the Arros 9 at 9 gpm would be a good fit, ensuring optimal UV exposure and improved disinfection. In contrast, if the UVT was low, there would be a need for more pretreatment to remove tannins, rust, or other sediment, which could complicate the overall treatment process and increase operational costs. One thing that stands out for the Arros is that the lamp, quartz sleeve, and o-ring are all one single piece, creating a seamless design that enhances reliability. This is a great improvement for those who hate fighting with o-rings and leaks or being timid about cracking a quartz sleeve during maintenance, as it minimizes the potential for mishaps and allows for a more user-friendly experience. Overall, this thoughtful engineering marks a significant step forward in the realm of water treatment technology and provides peace of mind for users seeking efficient and reliable systems.
The Execution
The first step was to install the bypass and keep the home running while we performed the rest of the install. The PVC was old and brittle, but the bypass valves connected without a hitch. Next was to mount the UV bracket, the filter housing, and to join it all with the PVC plumbing. The Arros 9 controller is attached to the UV chamber, so the whole footprint is very small—in contrast to the more common configuration of UV systems with separate chambers and controllers. The Arros’s Poly Protect Shield means that UV light does not escape the chamber, thereby protecting the PVC pipe. Most UV lamps need 12″ of metal fittings to deflect the escaping UV and protect PVC or PEX piping. After some curing time, it was time to pressure test and disinfect—both went off without incident. Once everything was ready, it was simply a matter of starting up the UV and giving the customer a brief rundown of how the system operates and how to run the bypass. Once you see the blue light on the top, you know you’re ready to go and the lamp is active. Now this family is able to rest a little easier knowing their water is going through safe and chemical-free disinfection before making its way throughout the house.
Wet Work 
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