Ensuring Microbial Safety
Sterilization vs. Decontamination
Sterilization aims to destroy every single microorganism, including tough spores, resulting in a sterile product.
Decontamination (Disinfection) targets and kills most harmful microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, to a safe level, though not necessarily eliminating all life.
Methods of Sterilization and Decontamination:
Chemical Disinfection – Involves adding chemicals such as chlorine, chloramine, or chlorine dioxide to water. These chemicals kill pathogens and can leave a residual disinfectant in the water to provide ongoing protection in the pipes.
UV Sterilization – Uses ultraviolet light to neutralize germs, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. However, the effect is temporary, and UV treatment doesn’t leave a residual.
Chemical Contaminants
None of the common methods of disinfection will make water safe if it is contaminated with fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials.
How We Can Help
Tailored Sterilization & Disinfection
Enwa supports customers with tailored sterilization and disinfection solutions by first assessing water quality and regulatory needs, then recommending and supplying the right technology—chemical dosing systems (chlorine, chloramine, chlorine dioxide) when a residual disinfectant is required, or UV sterilizers and filtration where chemical-free, on‑site microbial control is preferred.
System Design, Integration & Support
We design and integrate systems to match required sterility levels, ensure proper pretreatment to maintain UV effectiveness, size and automate dosing for safe residual protection, and provide monitoring, validation and maintenance services to guarantee compliance and reliable operation. For waters contaminated with fuels, toxins or radiological hazards we advise appropriate pretreatment or specialist remediation rather than standard disinfection.
