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Point-of-use water disinfection using UV light-emitting diodes to reduce bacterial contamination

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Abstract

The treatment process described in this research explores the impact of exposing water samples containing fecal coliforms to the radiation produced by single ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at 265 nm. UV LEDs are long lasting, compact in size and produce more efficient light output than traditional mercury-vapour bulbs, making them ideal for application in point-of-use disinfection systems, such as in remote areas. In this study, contaminated water samples containing either a pure culture of Escherichia coli or tertiary effluent from the City of Regina Wastewater Treatment Plant were used to study the application and efficiency of using UV LEDs for water disinfection. The results indicate that bacterial inactivation was achieved in a time-dependent manner, with 1- and 2.5-log E. coli reductions in water following 20 and 50 min of UV LED exposure, respectively. Ultraviolet radiation was less effective in reducing coliform bacteria in wastewater samples due to the elevated turbidity levels. Further work remains to be completed to optimize the application of UV LEDs for point-of-use disinfection systems; however, the results from this study support that bacterial inactivation using UV LEDs is possible, meriting further future technological development of the LEDs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada–Discovery Grants program; Droycon Bioconcepts, Inc. (Regina, SK); Communities of Tomorrow, Partners for Sustainability, Inc. (Regina, SK); Science Horizons Youth program; and the University of Regina for financial support of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Kristina Y. Nelson, Dena W. McMartin & Takaya Ono

  2. Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Christopher K. Yost

  3. Electronic Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Ken J. Runtz

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  1. Kristina Y. Nelson
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  2. Dena W. McMartin
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  4. Ken J. Runtz
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  5. Takaya Ono
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Correspondence to Kristina Y. Nelson.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Nelson, K.Y., McMartin, D.W., Yost, C.K. et al. Point-of-use water disinfection using UV light-emitting diodes to reduce bacterial contamination. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 5441–5448 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1564-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1564-6

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