Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection plays a critical role in providing safe drinking water for homes, particularly where water is sourced from rainwater, bores or rural supplies. It is also widely used across commercial and agricultural water treatment systems. UV lamps offer a reliable way to neutralise bacteria and pathogens without adding chemicals, but like all filtration components, they need to be handled correctly and disposed of responsibly.
At WaterForce, we work daily with UV systems from leading brands including Greenway, Sterilight, Viqua, Puretec, Davey and others. Regardless of the brand on the label, the principles around handling, performance and end of life recycling remain the same.
Handle UV Lamps with Care
UV lamps are precise instruments. They are also fragile.
During unpacking, installation or transport, lamps should always be handled gently and kept protected until they are installed. Dropping a lamp, bending it, or placing pressure on the glass can cause damage that is not always immediately obvious but can significantly reduce performance once the system is running.
Good handling at installation protects both the lamp and the broader filtration system it supports.
Why You Should Never Touch the Glass
One of the most common mistakes we see is direct contact with the glass surface of a UV bulb.
Fingerprints, oils and dirt can create hot spots on the lamp when it is operating. Over time, this can lead to overheating, reduced UV output and shortened lamp life. The result is compromised water treatment performance and unnecessary replacement costs.
When installing a UV lamp, it should only be held by the ceramic or metal ends. If the glass is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with a lint free cloth and isopropyl alcohol before installation.
This applies whether the lamp is part of a Greenway system, a Puretec unit, a Davey setup, or any other UV filtration system.
UV Lamps Contain Mercury, Disposal Matters
UV lamps contain small amounts of elemental mercury. While this mercury is safely contained during normal operation, it becomes an environmental hazard if lamps are disposed of incorrectly.
UV bulbs must never be placed in general waste or landfill. Improper disposal risks mercury entering soil and waterways, which is harmful to both the environment and public health.
Responsible water treatment does not stop at clean water leaving the tap. It includes responsible end of life management of filters, filtration media and UV components.
WaterForce UV Lamp Recycling
As water treatment specialists, WaterForce takes this responsibility seriously.
We offer a free UV lamp recycling service across our branch network. When you purchase a new UV lamp from WaterForce, you can return your old lamp to any WaterForce location. We ensure it is recycled through approved environmental partners, in line with regulatory and environmental best practice.
This service is available regardless of whether your UV lamp is part of a WaterForce supplied system or another recognised brand.
More Than UV, A Whole of System View
UV lamps are one part of a complete water treatment solution. Effective water treatment relies on correct filtration upstream, properly sized systems, and ongoing maintenance.
At WaterForce, our team works across filters, filtration systems, pumps and UV treatment every day. We support residential, rural, commercial and agricultural customers with practical advice backed by hands on experience.
If you have questions about UV bulbs, filtration performance, replacement schedules, or recycling options, your local WaterForce branch can help.
Clean water, handled wisely, from installation through to disposal. That is part of being wise with water.
