UV water disinfection stops the microbes

Ultraviolet water disinfection systems are helping a mineral water company ensure its products are free from microbial contamination.

Hanovia ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection systems are helping the Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in the United Kingdom ensure its products are free from microbial contamination.

"We have a very pure source of spring water," said production team leader Steve Clegg, "but we feel a 'belt and braces' approach to water purity is best, and UV provides us with that extra reassurance,".

This was reiterated by quality assurance manager Sue Hickling, who said, "UV gives us a high level of confidence to ensure consumer protection and satisfaction." UV is highly effective at destroying all water-borne microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds - recent independent tests have also shown it to kill Cryptosporidium.

It does not affect the pH or chemical composition of the water, ensuring the flavour is not affected.

Each UV system consists of a stainless steel treatment chamber containing one or more UV-emitting arc tubes.

Water passes through the chamber and the UV kills any microorganisms present by disrupting their DNA.

Seven Hanovia UV units are installed at Silver Spring - the oldest being in use for over seven years.

"We now use UV on all our bottling lines, for syrup production, and even for our mains water supply," said Jason Crockford, production team leader.

Spring water in the local area is very hard and can cause a build-up of lime deposits on the UV arc tubes.

"This used to require us to manually clean the tubes," added Jason.

"Because of this we recently installed Hanovia manual arc tube wipers on three of the UV systems; since then the problem has virtually disappeared.

We're now considering installing wipers on the other systems as well." Silver Spring supplies spring water and own-brand soft drinks to the major British supermarkets.

"We have to ensure our product is of the highest standard; Hanovia UV disinfection certainly plays an important part in this," said Steve.

Founded in 1870, Silver Spring is a family-run company and one of the oldest soft drink companies in Britain.

The factory now employs over 350 staff and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year.

PET* bottle production exceeds 100, 000 units per hour and the factory has the capacity to produce 1, 000, 000 litres of spring water per day.

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