Are UV Lights The Future of Clean Water?

Are UV Lights The Future of Clean Water?

In a recent article, WCP highlighted a growing trend in water treatment: a shift towards using UV lights, especially UVC LED technology. Turns out, popular methods used to filter PFAS (like RO and GAC systems) can sometimes strip away beneficial stuff, like chlorine. Instead, they suggest using UVC LEDs. These are compact, energy-saving lights that can be added to everyday water devices—from kitchen taps to coffee makers. As the water treatment landscape continues to evolve, will UVC LEDs become the next big thing?

‘Filter First’ Comes to Michigan

About ten years after the Flint water mess, Michigan's lawmakers are finally hydrating their brains and making some moves. They've said yes to new rules that will make sure schools and daycares test and clean their water for lead. Here's the deal: schools and childcare spots need to have a plan for clean water in about a year. This potentially means things like water filters on faucets or stations where kids can fill up bottles. They'll also have to check their water now and then, and the state will drop by every two years to check on daycares. This new move, called 'Filter First,' comes just after Michigan made it a rule for young kids to get blood tests for lead.

Why Salt Water Softeners are So Dang Expensive

Cascadian Water recently released an article that said (and we’re paraphrasing here) salt water softeners are like the friend who never pays you back: they're pretty expensive to have around. Salt water softeners, mostly used for combating hard water, retail between $2,500 and $7,500. They also require frequent salt deliveries which can cost homeowners an additional $360 to $475 each year. Over time, the salt can damage septic tanks, drain fields, and even city wastewater treatment plants, leading to pretty hefty repair bills. Cascadian calls out plumbers and manufacturers in the article, saying they often downplay the costs because they benefit from the maintenance revenue.

Updates from New Orleans

As we wrote about in last week’s newsletter, saltwater is climbing up the Mississippi and is poised to hit New Orleans. For the residents down south, there’s been some great news in the last week or so– here’s an update on where things are at:

• The saltwater wedge is moving more slowly than originally intended, and new estimates from the Army Corps of Engineers say it will hit New Orleans in late November (if at all)

• “We are getting over 100 calls a day” says owner Julio Torres of local Torres Water Company, as residents are still rushing to buy filtration systems

• Much of New Orleans’ water may be spared after all, due to stronger river flows last month

What else is happening:

• A recent University of New Mexico study found that people living on tribal lands or in minority communities are disproportionately affected by water with toxic contaminants

• Washington-based startup Aquagga has successfully deployed “Eleanor,” a PFAS destruction unit that’s housed inside a shipping container

• WaterTechOnline writes about how food processors can optimize their water treatment processes