Having spent a fair amount of time trying to validate such systems in
pharmaceutical water plants, I'm highly dubious. It can be done, at
small flow rates and long exposures, but it is *sanitization* not
sterilization. Bacteria are fairly adept at repairing UV induced damage.
And UV doesn't kill the bacteria, typically, just makes them unable to
reproduce.

And, as Larry pointed out, you still have issues with endotoxins that
can permeate the membranes. Maintenance is always critical with RO
systems, as the pressure increases as you form a biofilm on the
membranes, making leaks more common (o-rings, membrane
cracks/perforations, etc.). Once you get that leak, then you have tons
of critters cruising through, enough to make you sick even if they can't
reproduce.

IMO, relying on RO to take care of water that has too high a bioburden
to drink otherwise is asking for trouble.

Keith Hughes

frank wrote:

Pure Earth http://www.pure-earth.com/ sells what look like very efficient
high intensity one pass sanitizers. I have only looked at the specs, they
look good. Of course, specs and reality may be different.

"Keith Hughes" wrote in message
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