UV Light System Before or After Water Softener?

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Water treatment systems are barely used in isolation anymore.

As such, if you’re combining two treatment systems like UV light and water softener, it’ll help to know which one comes first.

So should a UV light system be installed before or after a water softener? This article has all the answers.

Key Takeaways

  • You should always install a UV light system after the water softener to prevent hard minerals from blocking the UV rays during the disinfection process.
  • The UV purifier should always be the last step in any water treatment process.

Should I Install My UV Light System Before or After the Water Softener?

UV water purifiers should always be installed after a water softener. The reason for this is pretty simple: Hard minerals in water can block UV rays, leading to an inefficient disinfection process.

So, a water softener must be installed first to remove any hardness minerals that may interfere with the UV rays during the disinfection process.

UV purifiers also generally work best with soft water. Soft water means no hard minerals to clog the unit or block the UV light.

salt-based water softener

Install Your UV Water Purifier as the Last Treatment Step

Whether there’s a water softener involved in your treatment process or not, you should always install your UV water purifier last.

The UV system must come after all other treatment devices to provide for optimal water conditions once the UV disinfection starts.

Examples of systems that should come before a UV light system are:

  • Sediment filters
  • Iron filters
  • Carbon filters
  • Water softeners
  • RO membranes

Installation Tip: Add Shut-Off Valves Before & After the Unit to Help With Maintenance

Here’s an installation tip: Install shut-off valves (or a bypass) before and after your UV purifier. Adding the valves allows the purifier to be separated from the water supply. This isolation makes replacing the UV light bulb and quartz sleeve easier, providing for a seamless maintenance process.

Another tip you should note is installing a drain pan under the unit. You can install a drain pan under the purifier to give the system extra protection and prevent water damage in case of a leak.

If you have any questions about installing a UV light system before or after the water softener please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Alexandra Uta

Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Since 2020, she has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Alex has been using water filters and similar products for years which has gained her lots of hands-on experience.
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