7 Best UV Water Purifiers for Well Water (*Update 2024)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Jan 31, 2024
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Top Pick: What’s the Best UV Filter for Well Water?
The best UV filter for well water in 2024 is the SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15m, because it is easy to hook up, it provides a high UV dose of 30 mJ/cm² eliminating 99.9% of germs in water, it works for small to large households, maintenance is cheap, and you get a 6-month money-back guarantee and a long warranty.
Want the ultimate UV water purifier specifically designed for well water? Your search ends here! With a wide array of options available in the market, we recognize the daunting task of finding the ideal system to suit your well water purification needs.
That’s precisely why we’ve crafted this comprehensive buying guide. Our team has extensively assessed more than 17 different systems to present you with the absolute best choices out there. Prepare to uncover the perfect UV water purifier and indulge in the assurance of pure, safe well water.
Contents
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No Time to Read? Check Our List of the Best UV Systems for Well Water!
| UV Systems | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Best for Whole House: SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on treatment process, lamp life, cost, NSF, ease of installation and maintenance, direct testing, 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $$$ UV Filter Type: Whole House Flow Rate: 15 gpm (Up to 5 Bathrooms) Power: 50 Watts Warranty: 1 to 10 Years Read Review: Click |
 Best Point-of-Use: Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on treatment process, lamp life, cost, NSF, ease of installation and maintenance, direct testing, 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $ UV Filter Type: Point of Use Flow Rate: 1 gpm Power: 11 Watts Warranty: 1 Year Read Review: Click |
 Best for Very Large Homes: USWS Pulsar UV Disinfection System |
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on treatment process, lamp life, cost, NSF, ease of installation and maintenance, direct testing, 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
|
Price: $$$ UV Filter Type: Whole House Flow Rate: 10-20 gpm (1-7+ Baths) Power: 49 Watts Warranty: 3 Years, Lifetime Read Review: Click |
UV Well Water Purifier Reviews
Our Top Picks
- SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 – Best Whole House
- Pentair Standard – Runner-Up for Whole House
- Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 – Best Point of Use
- Acuva ArrowMax 2.0 – Runner-Up for Point of Use
- iSpring UVF55FS
- US Water Systems Pulsar – Highest Flow Rate
- HQUA-OWS-12 – Best Budget Pick
1. Best Whole House: SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 UV Water Purification System
We believe the SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 is the very best UV system for well water available right now.
It provides excellent UV water purification, removing detrimental waterborne diseases caused by viruses and bacteria (up to 99.9%). The whole house filter works its magic on private wells, ensuring that your water supply is safe to consume.
What’s more, the SPRW-UVC5-15 UV whole house system is a breeze to install. It also contains a device which monitors performance and is responsible for controlling the unit, letting you know the amount of life remaining in the UV lamp among other things.
(SpringWell’s brilliant sediment pre-filters (PF-10 & PF-20) work extremely well with this standalone UV filter – for best results purifying well water, we recommend using them together!)
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SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 UV Water Purifier |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Type: | Whole House |
| Flow Rate: | 15 Gallons Per Minute (Up to 5 Baths) |
| Wattage: | 50 |
| Warranty: | 1-10 Years |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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|
Gallery
Other Specs
- Model: SPRW-UVC5-15
- Last Price: $1,100.99
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$110
- UV Dose: 30 mJ/cm²
- WxHxD: 4″x20″x4″
- Water Temperature: 36-104 °F
- Water Pressure: 10-150 psi
- Fitting: 1″ MNPT
Key Features & Pros
- This is the best UV water purifier for well water as it removes harmful organisms like viruses and bacteria up to 99.9%. It also gets rid of fungi & algae!
- UV dose required to eliminate even the most dangerous microbiological contaminants is twice as strong with the SPRW-UVC5-15 and its fantastic flow rate. The UV dose of 30 mJ/cm² is a sizable safety margin; this means no harmful organism will survive in your well water. (Example: E. coli needs a UV dose of 5-6 mJ/cm² for 99.9% to be destroyed.)
- Installation and operation of the UV filter is straightforward.
- All parts of the UV water treatment system are NSF-certified, meaning they are free of lead!
- The controller shows information about the device – this includes life remaining in your UV lamp, troubleshooting help, and a screen to check UV filter performance. (UV intensity can be monitored with an additional sensor.)
- Also, the case the controller unit is contained in is splash-proof!
- Conveniently, the filtration system’s bulb only needs replaced annually. This will cost $110 – whilst affordable, it’s great to only have to pay this one time every year.
- SpringWell customer service is of high standard.
- What also comes with the UV filter:
- 10 years warranty on the reactor, 3 years on electronics, 1 year on UV lamp, sensor, and quartz sleeve.
- Satisfaction guarantee of 6 months.
- Free shipping – great value!
Cons
- Regarding warranty: when the UV unit is installed before a sediment pre-filter, be aware the warranty will void. We recommend buying a 5-micron sediment pre-filter and installing it first to avoid this problem.
- Different well water supplies have different water chemistry/conditions (e.g. more hardness, less iron). The SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 isn’t suited to wells with the following conditions:
- Hardness over 7 gpg.
- Iron of over 0.3 ppm.
- Turbidity of more than 1 NTU.
- Manganese over 0.05 ppm.
- Tannins of over 0.1 ppm.
- Tip: Use additional pre-filtration.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 5.0/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 POE UV water purifier is best for people who want a system that’s easy to install and maintain, durable, highly effective, and backed by great customer service.
2. The Runner-Up for Whole House: Pentair Standard UV Disinfection System
If you want a second possible choice of whole house filtration system to the SpringWell, Pentair’s Pelican Standard UV Disinfection System is a worthy candidate.
It will leave your well with purified and cleaner water, thanks to the UV dose emitted from the filter. The UV disinfection system will rid your well water of harmful microorganisms and give you peace of mind!
There is a choice of either Pelican PUV-8-P or Pelican PUV-16-P.
Pentair Standard UV Disinfection System |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Type: | Whole House |
| Flow Rate: | 8.9-15.8 Gallons Per Minute (1-6 Baths) |
| Wattage: | 25-40 |
| Warranty: | 1-10 Years |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: PUV-8-P, PUV-16-P
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$150-175
- WxHxD: 10″x52-76″x10″
- Water Temperature: 32-104 °F
- Water Pressure: 4-125 psi
- Fitting: 3/4-1″ MNPT
- NSF Certification: Standard 55 (Class B)
- Other Certifications: CSA B483.1
Key Features & Pros
- Microorganisms are stopped from reproducing and spreading thanks to the UV light.
- UV filter has an NSF/ANSI Standard 55 rating (Class B), meaning it’s officially certified to have 99.9% effectiveness at disinfecting well water.
- DIY installation – it is similar to installing any other well water purification system.
- Remaining lamp life, UV intensity and performance monitoring details can be accessed via the LCD screen display. It also has audio alerts and lights to remind about required servicing, but mostly this UV system will be virtually maintenance free.
- Child safe system – children are prevented from getting near electrical components.
- The UV lamp requires an annual replacement, and has 9,000 hours lamp life! Replacement of the lamp’s sleeve is required every other year. The total cost lies between $150-170. This is a decent amount when we consider how effective the Pelican UV water treatment system is!
- 8.9-15.8 gpm flow rate.
- Pentair provides warranty for their pelican UV water filters:
- The sensor, UV lamp and quartz sleeve – 1 year warranty.
- Electrical hardware & other parts – 3 years warranty.
- UV chamber – 10 years warranty.
Cons
- As is standard with whole house UV water filters, the Pelican can only be effective if your well water meets certain conditions:
- Iron of over 0.3 parts per million.
- Hardness over 7 gpg (grain per gallon).
- Turbidity of more than 1 NTU.
- Tannins of over 0.1 ppm.
- Manganese over 0.05 ppm.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 4.5/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 4.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The Pelican Standard is best for people who insist on NSF-certified UV water disinfection.
3. Best Point-of-Use UV: Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 Ultraviolet Water Sterilizer
An affordable point of use system is the Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 Ultraviolet Water Sterilizer System.
The highly effective unit along with the affordable price makes this amongst the top choices when purchasing a UV filtration system.
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Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 UV Water Sterilizer |
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| Price: | $ |
| Type: | Single Faucet |
| Flow Rate: | 1 Gallon Per Minute |
| Wattage: | 11 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: CQE-UV-00101
- Last Price: $169.00
- Annual Maintenance Cost: $80
- UV Dose: 30 mJ/cm²
- WxHxD: 2.5″x11″x2.5″
- Water Pressure: Up to 85 psi
- Fitting: 1/4″ MNPT
Key Features & Pros
- As stated by Crystal Quest, microorganisms (viruses, protozoa, and bacteria) are reduced by the disinfection system (up to 99.9%).
- You have the choice between voltage of 110v and 220v.
- The 304 durable stainless steel chamber lasts a long time.
- Installation instructions are clear and detailed, making installing easy!
- UV filter does not need any attention in order to operate.
- A loud sound alerts you if the lamp fails.
- 1 gpm peak water flow rate is higher than competition (like the Acuva). It only takes seconds to fill a container or large glass with drinking water that has been UV purified!
Cons
- Regarding warranty: the UV purifier should be installed by a professional – if not, the one year warranty could void.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 5.0/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 is best for people who want a POU UV purifier that’s easy to hook up and service, durable, very effective, and fast.
4. The Runner-Up for POU: Acuva ArrowMax 2.0 UV-LED Water Purifier
The Acuva ArrowMAX 2.0 is one of the best in the point of use category. It’s a great choice to purify well water if your budget is a bit bigger.
This is a UV disinfection system that will not only eliminate harmful microorganisms but also improve the smell and taste of your well’s drinking water!
Acuva ArrowMax 2.0 UV-LED Water Purifier |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Type: | Single Faucet |
| Flow Rate: | 0.52 Gallons Per Minute |
| Wattage: | 9 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: ArrowMAX 2.0
- Annual Maintenance Cost: $50
- UV Dose: 16 mJ/cm²
- WxHxD: 9.875″x1.875″x4.125″
- Water Temperature: 39-105 °F
- Water Pressure: 12-100 psi
- NSF Certification: Standard 55 (Class B), 372
- Other Certifications: CSA B483.1
Key Features & Pros
- The ArrowMAX 2.0 incorporates UV LED lights in order to eradicate 99.9999% of any harmful organisms, ensuring your well water is safe to consume (as confirmed by its NSF Standard 55 Class B certification).
- 99% of all chlorine is removed by the UV water purifier, as well as detrimental elements such as nickel, mercury, chromium 6, lead and other heavy metals. Acuva also claims their UV water purifier gets rid of 95% fluoride, at the same time decreasing amounts of other contaminants such as asbestos.
- Accuracy and effectiveness of the UV treatment is increased thanks to the decreased turbidity as a result of the sediment filtration.
- Your well water will become more pleasant to drink, and the taste and odor will also improve!
- The Acuva ArrowMAX UV filter system is straightforward to operate and install!
- Virtually no maintenance is required. The UV purifier sanitizes all well water within a certain range with its “UV burst”. The pre-filter is the only piece that needs changing, after 12 months or 4,000 gallons filtered UV drinking water.
- A brushed nickel smart faucet is optional – when this glows blue, it lets you know the UV filter system is working properly.
- There is a 30-day refund policy, as well as a warranty of a year.
Cons
- It’s the most expensive UV water purifier in its category.
- The flow rate of 0.52 gpm could seem low to some people, but still allows the Acuva to fill a standard cup full of clean water in just ten seconds.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 5.0/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 3.5/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
Acuva’s ArrowMAX 2.0 is best for people who want an NSF-certified UV purifier that also removes chemicals and other contaminants.
5. iSpring UVF55FS Whole House UV Water Filter with Smart Flow Sensor
The iSpring UVF55FS UV water filter is an affordable piece of equipment that will improve the quality of your well water. However, there are some issues with its quality that we will discuss below.
Important: iSpring recommend the use of a pre-filter combined with their UV water filter in order to achieve optimum results. TDS (hardness) lower than 120 ppm or iron quantity lower than 0.3 ppm is required.
iSpring UVF55FS Whole House UV Filter |
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| Price: | $ |
| Type: | Whole House |
| Flow Rate: | 18 Gallons Per Minute (Up to 6 Baths) |
| Wattage: | 55 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: UVF55FS
- Annual Maintenance Cost: $70
- WxHxD: 2.5″x37.5″x2.5″
- Water Temperature: 32-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 4-85 psi
- Fitting: 1″ MNPT
Key Features & Pros
- System performance is easily controlled and monitored with the smart flow sensor switch.
- A flow rate of 18 gpm is decent for this system!
- Mounting clips will be included, making a DIY installation very doable!
- There are 9,000 hours (or 12 months) of lamp life in the bulb.
- For more convenient access for troubleshooting and replacement of the bulb, a water router bypass is advised.
- A money-back guarantee for 30 days is included with iSpring purchases, as well as a one year manufacturer warranty when the product is registered and also additional tech support (Atlanta-based).
Cons
- The quality of the whole system has been questioned. One reviewer claimed the UV bulb simply burned out after just 24 hours of usage.
- One reviewer stated after he installed his UV system, the bulb ceased functioning inside 2 days.
- There are issues with leaking and the installation instructions.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 4.0/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The iSpring UVF55FS is a whole home system best for high flow applications.
6. Best for Very Large Households: US Water Systems Pulsar Ultraviolet Disinfection System
The Pulsar Ultraviolet Whole House UV Disinfection System will efficiently remove any dangerous microorganisms within a well water supply that would contaminate your drinking water if left untreated.
This model from US Water Systems uses UV light and germicidal wavelengths to target and destroy all harmful bacteria, protozoa and viruses, resulting in water that is purified.
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USWS Pulsar UV Disinfection System |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Type: | Whole House |
| Flow Rate: | 10-20 Gallons Per Minute (1-7+ Baths) |
| Wattage: | 49 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years + Lifetime |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: 405-PUV-200-BGF
- Last Price: $795.00-995.00
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$110
- UV Dose: 30 mJ/cm²
- WxHxD: 2.5-3.5″x35.2-40.0″x2.5-3.5″
- Water Temperature: 36-104 °F
- Water Pressure: Up to 150 psi
- Fitting: 3/4-1″ MNPT
Key Features & Pros
- This whole house UV water filter system is easy to operate and install.
- UV waves are transmitted at 30 mJ/cm², an intensity that safely inactivates all microorganisms that may inhabit your well water.
- An optional polyester pleated 1-micron pre-filter can trap large particles and sediment. This is particularly useful to stop shadowing, which is where some pathogens will ‘hide’ themselves behind suspended sediments and solid particles, thus avoiding exposure to the UV rays. This whole house filter will stop that from happening!
- Having a stainless steel, durable body ensures the UV chamber will have long life.
- The remaining UV lamp life is displayed along with power supply information (which is also waterproof). Audio and visual alerts also tell you when the lamp requires replacement.
- With a life of 9,000 hours, the lamp only needs to be replaced yearly. Replacement bulbs cost $110; conveniently these can be replaced without interrupting the water flow.
- The UV chamber has a lifetime warranty, and the electronics have a 3-year warranty.
Cons
- Original flow rate is 10-20 gpm; a sediment pre-filter will lower the output water flow rate to only 12 gpm.
- US water systems don’t offer a free trial with their products, so unfortunately you can’t try their UV water filter before you purchase it
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 4.5/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
Offering the highest flow rate, the USWS Pulsar is best for people living in a very large home.
7. Best Budget Option: HQUA-OWS-12 Ultraviolet Water Purifier
And finally, an option if you’re on a smaller budget: The HQUA-OWS-12 Ultraviolet Water Purifier.
The significantly lower price helps set this model apart from its competition. With that said, the price is lower because of a few unhelpful disadvantages, which we’ll discuss below.
HQUA-OWS-12 UV Water Purifier |
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| Price: | $ |
| Type: | Whole House |
| Flow Rate: | 12 Gallons Per Minute (1-4 Baths) |
| Wattage: | 40 |
| Warranty: | 1-10 Years |
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Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on UV dose, flow rates, NSF, lamp life, cost, ease of installation & maintenance, direct and 3rd party ratings, product warranty, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: HQUA-OWS-12
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$40
- UV Dose: 30 mJ/cm²
- WxHxD: 2.5″x37.5″x2.5″
- Fitting: 3/4″ MNPT
Key Features & Pros
- This UV filtration system has an additional UV tube included.
- The HQUA model will provide you with 30 mJ/cm² of UV exposure at 12 gpm.
- Note: this applies to houses with 3 or 4 bathrooms.
- Its steel chamber is food-grade 304 and looks to be durable.
- The chamber also comes with a ten year warranty, and its electronic ballast has one year warranty.
Cons
- The most significant disadvantage is the leaking issues. Some customers weren’t able to fix the leaks despite every intervention, even from professional plumbers.
- This was most likely because of the quartz glass design and the silicone washers.
- Broken ballasts and sleeves were also an issue.
- While installation is straightforward enough, the instructions that come with it could be more detailed.
- All UV lamps are supposed to last for 365 days, but some with the HQUA do not, which will lead to additional costs.
Our Rating
- Treatment Process: 3.5/5.0
- Lamp Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Best for
The HQUA-OWS-12 UV is best for people on a tight budget.
More Reviews:
Comparison List
(Mobile Hint: Swipe to Scroll)
| Model | Price | Type | Flow Rate | Wattage | UV Dose | NSF | Annually | Warranty | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringWell SPRW-UVC5-15 UV Water Purifier | $$$ | Whole House | 15 gpm (Up to 5 Baths) | 50 | 30 mJ/cm² | ~$110 | 1-10 Years | ||
| Pentair Standard UV Disinfection System | $$$ | Whole House | 8.9-15.8 Gallons Per Minute (1-6 Baths) | 25-40 | Standard 55 (Class B) | ~$150-175 | 1-10 Years | ||
| Crystal Quest CQE-UV-00101 UV Water Sterilizer | $ | Single Faucet | 1 Gallon Per Minute | 11 | 30 mJ/cm² | $80 | 1 Year | ||
| Acuva ArrowMax 2.0 UV-LED Water Purifier | $$ | Single Faucet | 0.52 Gallons Per Minute | 9 | 16 mJ/cm² | Standard 55 (Class B), 372 | $50 | 1 Year | |
| iSpring UVF55FS Whole House UV Filter | $ | Whole House | 18 Gallons Per Minute (Up to 6 Baths) | 55 | $70 | 1 Year | |||
| USWS Pulsar UV Disinfection System | $$$ | Whole House | 10-20 Gallons Per Minute (1-7+ Baths) | 49 | 30 mJ/cm² | ~$110 | 3 Years + Lifetime | ||
| HQUA-OWS-12 UV Water Purifier | $ | Whole House | 12 Gallons Per Minute (1-4 Baths) | 40 | 30 mJ/cm² | ~$40 | 1-10 Years |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the UV Well Water Filter That’s Best for You
The following are key features worth considering when shopping for a UV light for well water. They will help you choose the right on for your needs and budget.
Quality of Well Water and Pre-Treatment
UV water purifiers work best when they treat well water that meets certain conditions. This is due to how microorganisms (like viruses or bacteria) hide behind other particles in your water, which is referred to as “shadowing”.
Microorganisms that shadow are the main reason a pre sediment filter is required during UV water disinfection. Even just a standard pre-filtration system such as a sediment filter (5-micron) is enough to eliminate most suspended solids.
Well water in particular often needs added softening and filtration prior to successful use of a UV filter.
It’s important to test your well water supply before you invest in a UV water filter, so you know it matches the specifications below. If it doesn’t, you will need to have the water treated prior to commencing UV disinfection:
- Hardness lower than 7 gpg (grain per gallon)
- Iron lower than 0.3 ppm (parts per million)
- Turbidity lower than 1 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit)
- Tannins lower than 0.1 ppm
- Manganese lower than 0.05 ppm
The UV Dose
UV water purifiers emit their UV light in millijoules, specifically millijoules per square centimeter (mJ/cm² or µwatt*sec/cm²).
The UV dose sets UV purification apart from other types of water disinfection. When emitted in high volumes, the dose from UV light will target any microorganisms within range. The UV rays will scramble the DNA of these microorganisms, which stops them from reproducing.
Simply put: the UV light will eliminate microorganisms and their ability to replicate.
The US Department of Health and Human Services stated in the 1960s that 16 mJ/cm² was the designated minimum amount of light intensity required to destroy cysts and harmful bacteria.
Since then, this was revised to 30 mJ/cm² to ensure a bigger safety margin and also allowing for a higher success rate in destroying viruses, too.
Specific organisms will require a specific UV dose in order to remove them. E. Coli, for instance, requires a minimum 6 or 7 mJ/cm² UV dose to kill 99.99% of its bacteria cells.
Additional Filtration/Purification
As effective as UV purification is at clearing out your well water’s unwanted microorganisms, it won’t change any other characteristics, like the chemistry of the water. To change anything else, you’ll need other filtration methods.
For example, using any activated carbon filter can decrease the quantity of chemical byproducts in your water supply. This would work alongside the UV purification system.
Size and Flow Rate
Water flow rate of an ultraviolet disinfection system is proportional to the system’s size. To enable proper water purification, a high level of UV light must reach the water; the UV lamp intensity rate and the flow rate are largely responsible for this.
A larger UV lamp will be required for bigger UV systems in order to account for the greater flow rates , just to make sure that the well water supply is adequately disinfected.
This explains why you need to have your well’s specifications in mind when looking at UV purifiers. You should imagine how many rooms (specifically kitchens or bathrooms) that will need your supply of clean, UV treated water. The larger the volume of water that requires disinfection, the larger the purification system needs to be, as well as a larger flow rate.
For reference:
- 1 to 3 bathrooms: a 10 gpm flow rate is recommended
- 4 to 6 bathrooms: a 15 gpm flow rate
- 7 bathrooms or more: a 20 gpm flow rate
Wattage
The UV bulbs don’t really require much power. The wattage they need in order to work is similar to traditional light bulbs.
Whole house filtration systems normally need a 25-60 watt bulb.
A point-of-use UV filter needs a 10 watt bulb.
NSF Certifications
You may see “NSF and ANSI certifications” come up whenever you’re researching or shopping for water treatment systems. They are simply certifications that guarantee the products will deliver the results they promise.
While not completely necessary, it’s strongly recommended to purchase a UV purifier system that is ANSI or NSF certified. There are 2 main certification types:
- NSF/ANSI Standard 55 Class A – given to UV filters intended to identify and remove dangerous microorganisms such as harmful bacteria, cysts and viruses. This is generally the better of the two standards.
- NSF/ANSI Standard 55 Class B – filters made to disinfect water by eliminating some kinds of bacteria.
Space Requirements
UV water purifiers usually are smaller in size than most other water softeners or water filters. This means they won’t take up too much room! Just be aware that whole house systems need to be directly connected to the mains water.
Cost
UV filters of a steeper price are normally better quality. If you go for the cheaper makes, some parts may be of poor quality, and may lead to some problems listed below:
- Installing the UV water purifier – Cheaper systems usually have more leak problems, which, in the long run, really isn’t worth getting it for a cheaper price.
- Lamp life – The life in the majority of UV filter lamps will be about 9,000 hours. Lower quality lamps won’t reach this number however, therefore will have to be replaced more frequently, resulting in you spending more money anyway!
- Lamp sleeve – If the important quartz sleeve is cheap, it’ll usually be weaker, and so cracking of the sleeve is more likely.
Obviously, going above your budget is not something anybody wants. With that said, we believe that cheap models aren’t an acceptable option when buying your UV water purification system. If you spend the money for a high quality system to begin with, you’ll be guaranteed to save money overall.
More on UV Systems for Well Water
Further Reading:
What’s a UV Well Water Purifier?
UV filters (UV purifiers) are water systems which are designed to disinfect a water supply by inactivating potentially harmful microorganisms. This is achieved by the germicidal wavelengths in UV light that are emitted by the bulb, an important component of the overall ultraviolet water filter.
This inactivation means that microorganisms will no longer be able to reproduce, therefore keeping them from further spreading in your well water.
As well as the lamp, regular UV systems also have a protective glass sleeve, controller unit, steel chamber, and O-rings.
A UV filter is used for various types of water, one of which is private well water.
How Does a UV Well Water Purifier Work?
The most important element of a UV purifier is the lamp. Its bulb emits ultraviolet light – this disinfects a water supply, making it safer to drink. The germicidal rays of this light scramble and inactivate DNA of microorganisms such as cysts, harmful bacteria and viruses. The wavelengths must be at precisely 254 nm in order for the UV rays to be truly effective.
This process will guarantee your well water supply is rid of the harmful contaminants listed above, and will also rid it of algae and fungi.
A greater UV dose must be given to inactivate the most dangerous contaminants. E. coli, cysts and various other bacteria will be scrambled with a small enough dose, but viruses like Rotavirus, Polioviruses & Hepatitis A will require a greater intensity of UV rays.
UV Well Water Treatment Systems and Their Components
The components inside a UV water purification system include:
- Steel chamber
- Lamp (UV)
- Quartz sleeve
- O-rings
- Controller unit
Every part works together to enable the disinfection process. Here’s a little bit about the parts they play:
Steel Chamber
The durable stainless steel chamber contains all of the UV purifier.
Why stainless steel? It’s a protective and durable substance that holds some of the most fragile parts of the system, including the sleeve and UV lamp. This also stops the escape of UV waves!
Cheaper and less effective elements like plastic will absorb UV waves and aren’t suited for containing the system. Stainless steel, however, will stop UV rays escaping or being absorbed.
Absorption can be an issue due to free radicals, a term for unbalanced electrons that end up eventually wearing down material such as plastic. This will make it weak and gradually break up, which is when UV rays will leak out! Since stainless steel doesn’t absorb any rays, the chamber will remain intact, meaning UV waves won’t be wasted.
Ultraviolet Lamp
A UV lamp is a gas-discharge lamp. Electric arcs power them.
If you look closely at the UV lamp, you might see small beads of solid mercury. These will dissolve gradually and be vaporized, which produces the light in the UV lamp, but is also one reason regular replacement of the lamp is required.
Quartz Sleeve
UV lamps run on electricity. For this reason, it’s very important that it does not directly meet the water!
To work around this, the lamp is housed inside a glass sleeve, made of quartz. This stops the lamp contacting the water, and at the same time allows transmission of UV light. This is the reason UV light will transmit through a quartz sleeve, purifying the water.
O-Rings
These are gaskets that seal a UV purifier to prevent leaks from occurring. It’s normal for a few to be used at once.
Controller
A UV purification system has an electric controller unit, which is useful as it has various functions. These include controlling and maintaining UV light intensity, displaying remaining life in the lamp of the UV unit and also providing a troubleshooting screen.
Who Should Use a UV Well Water Purifier?
Ultraviolet water purification is a highly effective type of disinfection of well water. Whether it’s residential or industrial areas, if you’re looking to destroy microorganisms that would otherwise contaminate your water, an ultraviolet water purifier will treat your supply and rid it of bacteria, cysts, viruses, protozoa and even algae and fungi.
UV disinfection inactivates harmful microorganisms, but won’t clear the water of any types of contaminants such as sediment, and also won’t affect the water’s taste or smell.
Private Well Water Disinfection
Water from private wells needs to be thoroughly disinfected. A UV water purifier is an efficient way of carrying out this process.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a UV Light Well Water Filtration System
Advantages
Clean Drinking Water
Ultraviolet treatment systems are proven scientifically to get rid of all viruses, harmful bacteria, protozoa and cysts. They’re also simple to install and operate, and are an affordable method of maintaining a clean, purified water supply. This persuades many people to invest in an ultraviolet light water filter!
No Chemicals Used
An ultraviolet light filter is the optimum type of water treatment when it comes to disinfection. No harmful chemicals or unfavorable elements are put into the water (like chlorine).
Your water’s chemistry remains unchanged during UV treatment. Nothing new will be added or removed; harmful microorganisms are simply inactivated, which stops them from reproducing. The result? Water that has been purified and is safe to consume.
Taste & Smell Are Left Untouched
As mentioned above, since there isn’t anything added to UV filtered water, its chemistry remains the same, as does odor and flavor. You no longer have to pump your water with chlorine to clean it!
Little Maintenance
Maintenance requirements for a UV disinfection system are practically nothing, which is one of the main advantages of using them. Annual bulb replacement and changing the sleeve every couple of years is about as low maintenance as it gets!
Disadvantages
No Contaminant Removal
Existing contaminants, such as TTHMs or lead, will remain in the water. Even the microorganisms that are inactivated remain, they simply are no longer dangerous.
If you desire to change the chemistry of your well water as well as getting rid of all types of particles, you’ll need a different type of water treatment system in addition to ultraviolet disinfection.
No Improvement in Water Aesthetics
This is either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how we view it!
UV filters don’t remove anything that adds to the chemistry of the water, so the overall smell and taste do not change. Another water filtration device is needed to counteract chemicals like chlorine.
Electricity Required
Any UV purifier will require being connected to an electric socket 24/7. This inevitably increases your overall energy bill.
Water May Be Warmed
Like other lamps, UV bulbs emit not only light, but heat as well. This can result in your water heating up to an undesirable level. Remember this when you use your water, as excessively hot water can damage some appliances or be uncomfortable on the skin.
Installation of a UV Water Filter System for Wells
Whole house systems require some plumbing in order to be installed, as they have to connect to the water mains to function properly. This may not suit every customer, and if it becomes a little daunting, you should always get a plumber to install it.
With that said, if you maybe possess experience with installing a whole house water filter and feel confident in doing so for a UV purifier, you might find it a simple enough process. At the end of the day, it’s quite similar to installing most kinds of water filters.
(If the UV filtration model is a point-of-use system, this can be done DIY!)
Instructions
- To begin, switch off the water supply.
- Then, any water left in your pipes should be drained.
- Cut your primary water line with a tool like a saw or pipe cutter.
- Optional: Installing shut-off valves or a bypass on the system on either side can lead to easier maintenance in the future.
- The inlet and output ports of your UV purifier are then connected to the plumbing. Plumber’s tape should be used to seal all ends.
- The lamp and quartz sleeve are now inserted.
- Turn on the water carefully, keeping an eye out for leaking or any issues.
- Finally, plug in and switch on your controller unit.
How to Maintain a UV Water Purifier
UV water purifiers will require maintenance eventually, as all water purifiers will. Luckily, not much is to be done here!
Replacing the UV Lamp Annually & Cleaning the Glass Sleeve
The UV lamp inside the protective quartz sleeve needs to be replaced every year.
Lamp life should last for 9,000 hours. As the system should run 24/7, this works out at about 365 days.
When your lamp needs to be replaced, all you have to do is take out the old lamp that is inside the sleeve, then replace this with the new one. It usually costs about $100 for replacement lamps.
The quartz sleeve doesn’t need to be replaced annually, but you should check it whenever you’re inserting a new lamp.
In particular, you should check if the sleeve is dirty. In order for UV waves to pass through effectively, the glass needs to be transparent and clean. If it seems dirty, gently wipe it!
Quartz Sleeve Replacement (Every 2 Years)
The sleeve is recommended to be replaced every two years. Generally, this is when it performs at its peak. At a price of $30-$50, this is quite affordable.
Monitoring
UV filtration systems don’t usually have many problems – issues are only common when a lower quality or cheaper unit is purchased. With that said, it’s still a good idea to take a look at the entire unit every now and again to be sure all parts are performing as they should be!
Well UV Water Purifiers vs Standard Well Water Filters
There’s a few notable differences between the workings of a standard water filter and a UV water purifier for well water.
The most important thing is knowing that even though all water filters are (in theory) water purifiers, not every water purifier works as a water filter.
Yes, it’s a little confusing to read – but think of it like this; UV treatment is a type of well water purification, however it will not get rid of particles such as sediment, affect water softness or hardness, or change the odor or taste of the water!
UV purifiers will purify water supplies through the deactivation of any waterborne microorganisms. There is a difference between UV purification and standard “water filtration”, which sometimes is used incorrectly when talking about UV purifiers.
A water filter, though, is built to directly remove harmful particles and other pollutants by employing various filter media. These include;
- Activated carbon
- KDF
- Ion exchange resin
Heavy metals, salts, chemical agents (such as disinfection byproducts or industrial strength solvents) and more are removed by this filter media.
When these types of contaminants are removed, it can lead to a superior water taste and odor.
Finally, if you’re wondering what similarities regular water filtering and the ultraviolet purification process have? Mostly, it’s that they both eradicate bacteria, cysts and viruses, leading to better water quality!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do I need a whole house UV filter?
You need a whole house UV filter if you want UV-disinfected water everywhere in your home. - Can you drink well water with a UV light?
An ultra violet (UV) disinfection system kills pathogens in contaminated water so that it is microbiologically safe. There may still be other harmful contaminants, though. - What type of filtration system is best for well water?
A UV water sterilizer is great to improve well water quality. - Does UV work with well water?
UV water filtration works great with well water. It just might need pre-treatment.
How We Chose and Tested the Best UV Water Filters for Well Water (Why Trust Us)
When it comes to reviewing UV well water purifiers, we approach our research with utmost diligence. Here’s our methodology:
- First, we need a set of attributes and features that serve as a benchmark for evaluation.
- Next, we compile a list of available products from various online sources. Currently, our list contains over 27 options to choose from.
- We then conduct a thorough examination of all the product information available (manuals, descriptions, certifications, and more).
- To gain further insights, we conduct interviews with select brands that meet our criteria. These interviews allow us to ask questions as potential customers and assess the level of support provided by the manufacturers.
- We also check various platforms for authentic reviews and ratings to gather feedback from independent users who have experience with one or more of these UV well water purifiers.
- In order to gain firsthand experience ourselves, we order some of the remaining systems. We thoroughly assess each, considering factors like how challenging the installation is and how helpful the manufacturer instructions, ease of use, the steps involved in system maintenance, and water flow rate. Each purifier is allowed to operate for a minimum of 2 weeks.
- Finally, we compile all the gathered information and present it in a user-friendly format that’s easy to understand. It’s important to note that our information and ratings are completely independent, unbiased, and fact-checked. Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS evaluated contaminant reduction claims. This involved the meticulous verification of NSF and CSA certifications online and a careful analysis of lab reports and other test data, when available.
About Our Ratings
We’ve rated each UV filter on a score of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating.
Currently, our evaluation is based on: UV dose (25%), lamp life (15%), flow rates (15%), costs (15%), NSF certifications (10%), 3rd-party ratings and direct testing (10%), customer support and product warranty (10%).
Questions? Ask away!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.