When purifying water with ultraviolet light, which conditions must be avoided?

When using ultraviolet (UV) light for water purification, it is essential to avoid turbidity and color in the water. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness caused by the presence of suspended particles, while color can result from dissolved organic materials or sediments. Both of these conditions prevent UV light from penetrating effectively through the water.

If the water is turbid or colored, the UV light may not reach the microorganisms present, reducing its effectiveness in disinfecting the water. This means that pathogens may survive, undermining the purification process. For UV treatment to be effective, the water needs to be as clear as possible, allowing the light to irradiate microorganisms effectively.

Although excess minerals, high temperatures, low pH, and the presence of chemicals like chlorine and ozone can influence water quality and treatment efficiency, they are not as critical to UV disinfection effectiveness as turbidity and color, which directly obstruct UV light penetration. Therefore, managing turbidity and color is vital to ensure the successful application of UV water treatment systems.