My Water Test Came Back Positive for Bacteria! Now What?



Positive Water Test? No Need to Worry

Here at Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation®, we have many ultraviolet solutions to meet your water purification needs. If you’ve received a positive water test, read the steps below to learn how to get the system that’s right for you.

1. Find Your Flow Rate in Gallons Per Minute (GPM)

Positive Water Test Step 1: Find Your Flow Rate

The first step after receiving a positive water test is to find your flow rate in gallons per minute, or GPM. Our water purifiers are assembled in the USA with a peak flow in mind. Most single-family dwellings use either a 6 GPM or a 12 GPM water purifier. We typically recommend as follows: If your home has 1 bathroom, then a 6 gallon per minute unit would be suitable; if your home has 2 – 4 bathrooms, then a 12 GPM unit would be suitable. If your home has 5 bathrooms, then we would suggest that a 20 gallon per minute water purifier be utilized.

2. Select from Our Vast Array of Products

Positive Water Test Step 2: Select from Our Vast Array of Products

The next step in addressing your positive water test is to select a water purifier that fits your GPM needs from Step 1. We offer a variety of different trademark lines with several models in each line. Since some product lines have more features than others, we suggest viewing our Ultraviolet Water Purifier Comparison Chartopen_in_new.

Our MINIPURE® UV purifiers are designed for residential applications within the 1 to 9 GPM range. They come standard with lamp-out indicator lights that show lamp operation, as well as an audio alarm that alerts the user of system malfunctions. Shop MINIPURE® on AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Our MIGHTY★PURE® line is designed for residential or commercial use and ranges from 3 to 20 GPM. These units come standard with a sight port plug that safely shows UV lamp glow, as well as an integrated drain fitting that allows chamber draining without moving the unit. Shop MIGHTY★PURE® on AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Our SANITRON® ultraviolet purifiers can be used in residential, commercial, or industrial applications within the 3 to 416 GPM range. Modular units can be added or removed to change GPM as needs change over time. In addition to a sight port and drain fitting, the SANITRON® features a patented dual-action wiper mechanism which easily cleans its quartz sleeves. Movable and rotatable heads also provide easy installation. Shop SANITRON® on AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

3. Disinfect Your Downstream Plumbing

Positive Water Test Step 3: Disinfect Your Downstream Plumbing

Once the plumbing hook-ups have been made, it is a good practice to disinfect the “downstream” plumbing between the purifier and point of use. This is done by introducing chlorine or another disinfectant solution directly into the purifier chamber; 100ppm of chlorine is suggested.

With the disinfectant in the purifier chamber, turn on the ultraviolet purifier. Open the “downstream” outlet until a chlorine or disinfectant odor is noticed. Close the outlet and allow the disinfectant to remain in the plumbing for at least 3 hours. Flush the plumbing with ultraviolet purified water and allow the water to run for a minimum of 5 minutes before use (to ensure no chlorine or disinfectant smell can be detected). This practice will allow the chlorine or disinfectant to be flushed through the pipes.

4. Install to Meet Your Needs

Positive Water Test Step 4: Install to Meet Your Needs

Be sure to use a Promate™ Wall-Mounting Kitopen_in_new to install your purifier in the correct position. To help with maintenance, install shut-off valves before and after your unit. SureFLO™ Flow Control Valvesopen_in_new are an optional accessory that restrict the flow of your water to the rated flow of the water purifier, offering peace of mind to ensure that the right amount of water is treated. Finally, your water purifier should be located after all other water devices in your line, such as de-ionizers, water softeners, carbon filters, pre-filters, reverse osmosis, pressure tanks, and pumps. This reduces the possibility of the purified water being re-contaminated by bacteria in any of these units.

Learn More & Shop UV Water Disinfection

Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation’s water purifiers are constructed from stainless steel and the highest quality materials, using UV-C lamps to neutralize harmful microorganisms. There are several product lines and various models designed for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Available accessories provide flexibility for virtually any application.

Shop at AtlanticUltraviolet.com

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