State-of-the-art Ohio drinking water plant adds advanced UV disinfection system

COVENTRY, RI, Sept. 11, 2014 -- Neptune Benson, a manufacturer of commercial filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems and components, recently installed a state-of-the-art UV drinking water system in Berea, Ohio, enabling the city to seek the Cryptosporidium credit in the state.

The City of Berea public water system uses surface water drawn from the East Branch of the Rocky River; however, supplies can be drawn from nearby Coe Lake and Baldwin Creek as required. Being open surface water sources, they are vulnerable to runoff and other forms of contamination.

As such, Berea was keen to ensure the best possible water quality for its residents, so since 2008, it has been closely monitoring the quality of its water sources. Cryptosporidium was found in 10 of 24 samples collected from the East Branch of the Rocky River, which is typical for this type of surface water.

Netpune-Benson's UV drinking water system in Berea, Ohio

Cryptosporidium is a ubiquitous chlorine-tolerant organism that can survive for months in water or soil as an oocyst shed by an infected host. When people drink water containing oocysts, the toxins quickly multiply and infection follows. As a result, boil notices are issued. Public outbreaks have now occurred in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.

"It is important that we maintain the highest quality water from our facility, and the ETS-UV system will supplement our conventional disinfection process," said Sandra Vozar, PE, service director for the City of Berea. "We are proud that this [facility] will be one of the first in the state to disinfect water using UV light to get disinfection credits for deactivating Cryptosporidium."

This emerging threat to public health is effectively deactivated using UV light, and this technology has become an important barrier both in the U.S. and globally to ensure that drinking water is wholesome and free from any harmful organisms. UV systems are now being regularly installed into municipal drinking water facilities to deactivate Cryptosporidium and Giardia -- both organisms that chlorine cannot kill.

See also:

"Ohio WTP to improve water treatment with new UV disinfection system"

"Ultraviolet disinfection system receives NSF-61 certification for drinking water"

About Neptune Benson

Since 1956 Neptune Benson has been synonymous with water filtration and disinfection serving the aquatics, industrial and municipal markets. Featuring award-winning brands such as the Defender® regenerative media filter, ETS-UV ultraviolet disinfection systems and Neptune Benson Sand Filters. With advanced technology and a wealth of experience, Neptune Benson has the expertise to provide effective and cost efficient solutions for a broad range of industry needs. For more information, visit www.neptunebenson.com or www.ets-uv.com.

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