Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 18-07-2025 Origin: Site
Ultraviolet (UV) light is something we encounter in everyday life—from sunlight to sterilization lamps and even hospital-grade disinfection cabinets. But did you know UV light is also one of the most effective, eco-friendly, and chemical-free methods for water treatment?
As the global demand for safe and sustainable water purification continues to rise, more industries and households are turning to UVC LED technology to eliminate harmful pathogens from drinking water, commercial water systems, and even medical-grade water supplies.
But what kinds of microorganisms does UV water treatment actually kill? And how reliable is it?
The following data is integrated from multiple authoritative sources, covering five major categories: bacteria (including spores), viruses, fungi, protozoa, and yeasts. It specifies the 90%/99% inactivation dosages (unit: μW·s/cm²), with special wavelengths noted separately.
| Microorganism Name | 90% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | 99% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | Notes (Resistance/Application Scenarios) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacillus anthracis | 4520 | 8700 | Pathogenic bacteria, common in biosecurity scenarios |
| Bacillus anthracis spores | 24320 | 46200 | Extremely resistant, requires ultra-high dosage (Consistent across Sources 2/3/5) |
| Bacillus subtilis | 5800 | 11000 | "Indicator organism" for disinfection efficacy verification |
| Bacillus subtilis spores | 11600 | 22000 | Common in environmental disinfection verification (Consistent across Sources 2/3/5) |
| Escherichia coli | 3000 | 6600 | Indicator of water pollution, low dosage requirement (Sources 2/3/5) |
| Salmonella spp. | 2140 (Typhoid fever type) - 8000 (Salmonella typhimurium type) | 4100 (Typhoid fever type) - 15200 (Salmonella typhimurium type) | Foodborne pathogenic bacteria, significant resistance differences among subtypes |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 5500 | 10500 (Source 2) / 7600 (Source 3) | Common in hospital environments, note data discrepancies |
| Legionella pneumophila | 6050 | 12300 | Pathogenic bacteria in HVAC systems, dosage must match air flow conditions |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2600 | 6600 | Skin/wound infecting bacteria, common in surface disinfection |
| Virus Name | 90% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | 99% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | Notes (Transmission Route/Sensitivity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poliovirus | 3150 | 6600 | Enterovirus, sensitive to UVC (Consistent across Sources 3/5) |
| Influenza virus | 3400 | 6600 | Respiratory virus, core target for air disinfection |
| Infectious hepatitis virus (e.g., HAV) | 5800 | 8000 | Waterborne virus, requires higher dosage than common bacteria |
| Tobacco mosaic virus (Plant virus) | 240000 | 440000 | Extremely resistant, for special scenario reference only (Sources 3/5) |
| SARS virus | - | - | Requires intensity > 90 μW/cm² for 30 minutes (CDC data, Source 4) |
| Microorganism Type/Name | 90% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | 99% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | Notes (Application Scenarios/Chlorine Resistance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus flavus | 60000 | 99000 | Food spoilage fungus, requires high dosage (Sources 3/5) |
| Aspergillus niger strain | 132000 | 330000 | One of the most resistant fungi, common in humid environments |
| Chlorella vulgaris (Protozoa) | 13000 | 22000 | Water algae, affects water transparency |
| Nematode eggs (Protozoa) | 45000 | 92000 | Common in soil/sewage, higher resistance than common algae |
| Cryptosporidium (Associated with Source 1) | 10000-20000 (Converted from mJ/cm²) | - | Chlorine-resistant protozoa, UV is the preferred disinfection method; dosage requires 10-20 mJ/cm² (equivalent to 10000-20000 μW·s/cm²) |
| Microorganism Name | 90% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | 99% Inactivation Dosage (μW·s/cm²) | Notes (Industry Applications) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Beer yeast) | 3300 | 6600 | Beer brewing disinfection, low dosage requirement |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Wine/bread yeast) | 6000 | 13200 | Wine/bread industry, avoid affecting flavor |
| Yeast spores | 8000 | 17600 |
How UV Water Treatment Works?
At the heart of UV water treatment is the emission of UV-C light—a specific band of ultraviolet light with wavelengths typically around 254 nm or 265 nm. This shortwave UV light has strong penetration capabilities and can reach the “core” of a microorganism—its DNA or RNA. Once these genetic materials are damaged, the microorganism can no longer reproduce, and thus loses its ability to cause infection.
Unlike traditional methods such as chlorination or ozonation, UV treatment does not change the taste or smell of the water and leaves no chemical residue. It’s a clean, additive-free physical disinfection method.
Types of Microorganisms Killed by UV Water Treatment
UV light can efficiently kill or inactivate a wide range of common waterborne bacteria, including:
Escherichia coli (E. coli) – A key indicator of fecal contamination
Salmonella spp. – Causes typhoid fever and foodborne illnesses
Legionella pneumophila – Responsible for Legionnaires’ disease
Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Common in hospital water systems
Shigella spp., Campylobacter, Vibrio cholerae, and more
These bacteria are typically inactivated with relatively low UV doses, usually between 5–15 mJ/cm².
Viruses are generally more resistant than bacteria but are still highly vulnerable to UV-C radiation:
Rotavirus – A major cause of severe diarrhea in children
Norovirus – Extremely contagious and causes gastrointestinal illness
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
Adenovirus – More UV-resistant, but controllable with higher doses
Poliovirus, Enterovirus, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Viral inactivation typically requires 20–60 mJ/cm², depending on the virus strain.
UV treatment is especially effective against chlorine-resistant protozoa, such as:
Giardia lamblia
Cryptosporidium parvum
These microorganisms can cause severe gastrointestinal illnesses and are difficult to remove with chemical disinfectants. However, 10–20 mJ/cm² of UV exposure can effectively disrupt their reproductive cycle.
Though less frequently discussed, UV water treatment also helps control microbial regrowth in water storage and distribution systems:
Aspergillus spp. – A common fungal contaminant
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) – e.g., Microcystis aeruginosa, which can produce harmful toxins
UV water treatment is quickly becoming the mainstream solution for next-generation water disinfection. It efficiently eliminates bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and algae without any additives, residues, or chemical pollutants. And with the advancement of UVC LED technology, UV systems are now more compact, efficient, and intelligent than ever—expanding their applications across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Looking for a UV Water Treatment System Tailored to Your Needs?
Contact MASSPHOTON today.
We specialize in UVC LED water disinfection systems and integrated solutions, offering both standardized products and custom system design tailored to your specific application.
Whether you’re a water purification equipment manufacturer, a system integrator, or a technology partner looking to upgrade existing systems, MASSPHOTON provides professional, efficient, and scalable solutions you can rely on.
Let’s build a safer, smarter, and cleaner water future—together.
