UV Sterilisation

UV Sterilisation | Water Purification | Plumbing | Bristol

Enjoy safer, better-tasting water straight from the tap with HEP’s advanced UV sterilisation system. Our Bristol engineers fit discreet in-line units that neutralise 99.99 % of bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens without chemicals, odours or wasted water — a smart leap forward in water purification that keeps minerals intact while giving you total peace of mind.

Whether you’re safeguarding a family home, café, laboratory or rainwater harvesting setup, we design, install and maintain bespoke solutions backed by 24/7 local support. Talk to our friendly team today and discover how effortless clean water can be.

FAQs

What is UV sterilisation and how does it purify water?

Ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation uses a high-intensity UV-C lamp enclosed in a stainless-steel chamber through which the water flows. The UV-C wavelength (around 254 nm) penetrates the cell walls of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and other micro-organisms, disrupting their DNA so they cannot reproduce or cause infection. Because the process is purely physical, it adds no chemicals, leaves no by-products and preserves the natural taste and mineral balance of your water.

Why might I need a UV water steriliser in Bristol?

Bristol’s mains supply from Wessex Water is already treated, but UV protection is advisable if you rely on a private borehole, spring, rainwater harvesting system or if your property sits on the outskirts where agricultural run-off can affect microbial quality. Even on the mains, UV can provide an extra safeguard for households with immunocompromised residents, clinics, cafés and food businesses that need validated pathogen control to meet environmental health standards.

Does UV sterilisation remove chemicals or change the taste of water?

UV only inactivates living micro-organisms; it does not remove dissolved chemicals, heavy metals, hardness, chlorine or pesticides. If you need chemical reduction you can pair the UV unit with pre-filters such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis or water softening. Because UV is non-chemical, it leaves the natural taste of the water unchanged and does not introduce odours or residues.

How is a UV water purifier installed in my plumbing system?

Our engineers normally fit the UV chamber on the main cold-water line after any pre-filtration and before the pipework branches to taps or appliances. The stainless-steel reactor is mounted horizontally or vertically with unions for easy lamp changes, fed by a standard 230 V socket for the power supply. We include sediment and carbon cartridges upstream to ensure the water entering the UV lamp is clear (turbidity < 5 NTU, iron < 0.3 mg/L) so light can penetrate effectively. Installation typically takes 2–3 hours and causes minimal disruption.

What maintenance does a UV steriliser require and how often?

Key tasks are: • Lamp replacement every 9–12 months (8,000–9,000 hours) because UV intensity diminishes with age even if the lamp still glows. • Annual cleaning or replacement of the quartz sleeve that surrounds the lamp to remove mineral scale and biofilm. • Six-monthly check or change of the sediment and carbon pre-filters to keep water clarity high. Our service plans in Bristol include scheduled reminders, on-site visits and validation tests with UV intensity sensors to confirm the system maintains the required 30 mJ/cm² or higher dose.

How much energy does a UV unit consume and what are the running costs?

A typical domestic UV steriliser uses a 30–40 W lamp, roughly the same as an LED lightbulb. Running 24/7 this equates to about 0.72 kWh per day or £35–£45 per year at current Bristol electricity tariffs. Consumables include the annual lamp (£30–£45), pre-filters (£20–£30) and an occasional quartz sleeve (£25–£40). Compared with bottled water or chemical disinfectants, UV treatment offers a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution with predictable annual costs.