Ultraviolet (UV) Water Disinfection Systems

Ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection systems use UV-C light to destroy 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and parasites in your water supply — without chemicals, without changing the taste, and without wasting water.

 

If you've tested positive for coliform bacteria or E. coli, or you simply want peace of mind that your well water is safe, a UV system is the most reliable and low-maintenance solution available. UV systems install on your main water line and treat every drop of water entering your home.

 

We carry residential systems from 9 GPM to 18 GPM, plus replacement parts — bulbs, quartz sleeves, and control boxes. To learn more, read our Complete Guide to UV Water Disinfection.

 

Call us at 800-460-5810 if you need help choosing the right UV system for your home or business.

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Choosing a UV System

 

Sizing a UV system is based on your home's flow rate — how many gallons per minute (GPM) your household uses during peak demand. A good rule of thumb is the number of bathrooms:

 

• 1–2 Bathrooms: Viqua VH200 (9 GPM) — $895
• 3+ Bathrooms: Viqua VH410 (18 GPM) — $995
• Commercial / High-Flow: Call us at 800-460-5810 for commercial UV sizing

 

If you're unsure which system you need, call us at 800-460-5810 and we'll help you size it based on your water test and household.

 

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FAQs

 

How does UV disinfection work? What does UV kill? What UV doesn't remove Who needs a UV system? VH200 vs VH410 Pre-treatment requirements Annual maintenance Annual operating cost Installation UV vs chlorination Warranty

 

 

Q. How does UV water disinfection work?

 

A. Water flows through a stainless steel chamber that houses a UV-C lamp inside a quartz sleeve. As water passes the lamp, UV light at 254 nm penetrates the cell walls of bacteria, viruses, and parasites — destroying their DNA so they can't reproduce or cause infection. The process is instant, chemical-free, and doesn't change the taste, smell, or chemistry of your water.

 

 

Q. What does a UV system kill?

 

A. UV disinfection eliminates 99.99% of waterborne microorganisms, including:

 

• E. coli and total coliform bacteria
• Giardia and Cryptosporidium (chlorine-resistant parasites)
• Hepatitis A, norovirus, and rotavirus
• Legionella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter
• Virtually all other waterborne pathogens

 

Our Viqua systems are certified to NSF 55 Class A — the highest standard for point-of-entry UV disinfection.

 

 

Q. What doesn't a UV system remove?

 

A. UV is a disinfection technology, not a filtration system. It does not remove iron, hardness, sediment, chemicals, heavy metals, or taste/odor issues. If your water has these problems, you'll need the appropriate pre-treatment installed upstream of the UV system — such as an iron filter, acid neutralizer, water softener, or sediment filter.

 

 

Q. Who needs a UV system?

 

A. Any home on well water should consider UV disinfection. It's especially important if:

 

• Your water test shows coliform bacteria or E. coli
• Your well is shallow, old, or near agricultural land
• You've had a positive bacteria test in the past — even if a follow-up was clear
• You want continuous protection against bacterial contamination

 

Unlike shock chlorination (which is a one-time fix), UV provides 24/7 protection at every tap in your home. Read more in our guide: UV Water Filter for Well Water.

 

 

Q. What's the difference between the VH200 and VH410?

 

A. Both are Viqua whole-house UV systems with the same ICE controller, NSF 55 Class A certification, and stainless steel chamber. The difference is flow rate:

 

• Viqua VH200 — 9 GPM at 40 mJ/cm². Ideal for 1–2 bathroom homes. $895.
• Viqua VH410 — 18 GPM at 40 mJ/cm² (NSF/EPA dose). Ideal for 3+ bathroom homes or homes with higher water demand. $995.

 

If you're on the fence, go with the VH410. The $100 difference gives you double the flow rate, which means no pressure drop during peak demand — showers, laundry, and dishwasher running simultaneously. For a full comparison, see Viqua VH200 vs VH410.

 

 

Q. Does UV require pre-treatment?

 

A. For UV to work effectively, the water flowing through the chamber needs to be relatively clear. Viqua recommends:

 

• Iron: below 0.3 ppm (use an iron filter if higher)
• Hardness: below 7 gpg (use a water softener if higher)
• Sediment: install a 5-micron sediment filter upstream of the UV
• UV Transmittance (UVT): 75% or higher

 

Iron, sediment, and hardness can coat the quartz sleeve or block UV light from reaching microorganisms. Pre-treatment ensures maximum disinfection performance and extends the life of your UV lamp and sleeve.

 

 

Q. What maintenance does a UV system need?

 

A. UV systems are very low maintenance:

 

• Annually: Replace the UV lamp (the ICE controller counts down lamp life and alerts you)
• During lamp change: Clean the quartz sleeve with vinegar to remove any mineral buildup
• Every 2–3 years: Replace the quartz sleeve

 

That's it — no filter media to add, no backwashing, no chemicals. Lamp changes take about 10 minutes.

 

 

Q. What does it cost to operate a UV system per year?

 

A. Annual operating costs are minimal. The UV lamp replacement is the only recurring expense:

 

• VH200 replacement lamp — $165/year
• VH410 replacement lamp — $160/year

 

Electricity consumption is about 60 watts — roughly the same as a light bulb. Total annual cost including electricity is under $200. For a detailed cost breakdown, see UV Water Treatment System Cost (2026).

 

 

Q. Is a UV system difficult to install?

 

A. Not at all. UV systems mount on the wall next to your pressure tank and plumb into the main water line with standard ¾" or 1" fittings. Most homeowners complete the installation in 1–2 hours.

 

The UV system should be the last thing before the water enters your home — after any iron filters, softeners, acid neutralizers, or sediment filters. This ensures the cleanest possible water reaches the UV chamber for maximum disinfection.

 

Need help? Call or text us at 800-460-5810 and we'll walk you through the installation step by step.

 

 

Q. UV disinfection or chlorination — which is better?

 

A. For residential well water, UV is almost always the better choice. Here's why:

 

• No chemicals — UV doesn't add chlorine or byproducts to your water
• No taste or odor changes — your water tastes exactly the same
• Kills chlorine-resistant organisms — Cryptosporidium and Giardia survive chlorination but not UV
• Zero contact time needed — disinfection happens instantly as water passes the lamp
• No waste water — unlike chemical injection systems that need retention tanks

 

Chlorination may be appropriate for extremely high bacteria counts or when a residual disinfectant is needed (long distribution lines). For most homes, UV is simpler, safer, and more effective. Read the full comparison: UV Disinfection vs Chlorination.

 

 

Q. What's the warranty on your UV systems?

 

A. Viqua UV systems come with a comprehensive manufacturer warranty:

 

• UV chamber (stainless steel): 10-year warranty
• ICE controller / electronics: 5-year warranty
• UV lamp: 1-year warranty (designed to be replaced annually)
• Quartz sleeve: 1-year warranty

 

We're here to help with any warranty questions. Call us at 800-460-5810 or email support@midatlanticwater.net.