- HEP Plumbing
- UV Purification

UV Purification
UV Purification | Water Purification | Plumbing | Gatlinburg
Breathe easy in Gatlinburg knowing the same brilliant sunshine that lights our Smoky Mountain peaks is harnessed inside your pipes. HEP’s UV systems bathe incoming water in germ-killing light, neutralizing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa without adding a single chemical. The result is crystal-clear, better-tasting water that protects your family, your coffee maker, and even your pet’s bowl—real peace of mind delivered by the area’s most trusted plumbing team.
From quick installs to routine bulb replacements, our certified technicians handle every detail so you can simply turn on the tap and enjoy the benefits of advanced water purification. Whether you’re in a cozy cabin, a rental property, or your forever home in Gatlinburg, we’re on call 24/7 to keep your water clean, your pipes happy, and your guests impressed. Reach out today and discover how pure life can taste.
FAQs
How does UV water purification work and why is it effective for Gatlinburg homes?
Ultraviolet (UV) purification exposes flowing water to a germicidal wavelength (typically 254 nm) that disrupts the DNA of microorganisms and prevents them from reproducing. In Gatlinburg, seasonal rain and karst terrain can introduce bacteria, viruses, and cysts into both well and municipal supplies. Because UV treatment neutralizes these pathogens without chemicals, it is an ideal final barrier for mountain cabins and year-round residences alike. When installed after proper sediment and carbon filtration, a UV system delivers water that meets or exceeds U.S. EPA drinking-water standards while preserving the natural taste that Smoky Mountain residents appreciate.
Will a UV purification system remove chemicals, heavy metals, or improve taste and odor?
UV technology is designed specifically to inactivate living organisms; it does not remove dissolved chemicals, heavy metals, or minerals responsible for taste and odor. For comprehensive treatment, we typically pair the UV reactor with a sediment pre-filter (5 µm) and an activated-carbon cartridge or whole-house filter. This combination captures rust, silt, chlorine by-products, agricultural run-off, and sulfur smells common in some Sevier County wells. Once particulates and organics are filtered out, the UV chamber can transmit light effectively, giving you crystal-clear, great-tasting water free of harmful microbes.
Is UV water treatment safe for my family and the environment?
Yes. UV disinfection adds no chemicals to your water, produces no disinfection by-products, and leaves no residual taste. The process occurs inside a sealed stainless-steel chamber, so no UV light escapes into your home. Because it eliminates the need for chlorine or bromine tablets, UV also helps reduce plastic waste and chemical runoff in Gatlinburg’s streams. All systems we install are NSF/ANSI-55 Class A certified for potable water, ensuring they meet rigorous safety and performance standards.
What maintenance is required and how often do I need to replace the UV lamp?
Routine upkeep is simple. 1) Replace or clean the pre-filters every 3–6 months, depending on sediment load. 2) Wipe the quartz sleeve that surrounds the lamp every 6–12 months to remove mineral scale. 3) Replace the UV lamp annually (8,000–9,000 hours of use) even if it still illuminates; output drops over time. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and requires no special tools—just unplug the ballast, remove the lamp, insert the new one, and reset the lamp-change timer. We offer affordable service plans and stock lamps locally in Gatlinburg for same-day replacements.
Can a UV system handle Gatlinburg’s varying water pressures, and will it affect flow rate?
Our residential units are rated for 10–18 gallons per minute (gpm) at pressures from 20-125 psi, more than sufficient for typical 1- to 4-bathroom homes and vacation rentals. Pressure changes from mountain wells or city mains will not harm the reactor as long as flow stays within its design range. Because the chamber has no moving parts or restrictive membranes, pressure loss is minimal (usually < 3 psi). We size the system based on your peak household demand—showers, laundry, and dishwasher running simultaneously—so you won’t notice any drop in water volume.
How much does installation cost and do you service rental cabins and lodges?
A complete UV package—including stainless reactor, electronic ballast, 5 µm sediment filter, and carbon block—starts around $1,050 installed for most Gatlinburg addresses. Larger capacities or problem-water add-ons (iron, hardness, or tannin filters) increase the price accordingly. We provide free on-site water testing, written estimates, and flexible scheduling for rental cabins, lodges, and Airbnb properties. Annual lamp-swap and winterization services can be bundled into a maintenance contract, ensuring uninterrupted protection for your guests and 24/7 emergency support during peak tourist seasons.