Issues with Centralized Treatment

Centralized treatment and distribution of disinfected water is considered one of civilization’s most important advances. But many of these complex centralized distribution systems are now crumbling, inadequate and unsafe; while the cost of overhaul, replacement, or new construction is in many situations prohibitive.

It is practically impossible to ensure that water is safe at the tap after it has been piped over an enormous distribution system. Contamination from leaking pipes (both egress and ingress) is well documented and of serious concern. But the solution to this problem is to not rely upon newly built, massive centralized treatment facilities for the production of highly disinfected water.

In many situations it is safer and less expensive if the disinfection process is moved closer to where people actually get the water they use. For example, buildings can have installed at the point of entry an on-demand “clean water unit” sized for that building’s capacity. This “clean water unit” performs final filtration and disinfection - at the location where it is needed. The relatively low cost of the clean water unit is carried by the building owner (as with hot water heaters), and transfers much of the burden away from funding public water works. Additionally, the operating costs (electricity and upkeep) are also supported by the unit’s owner.

There are numerous other important benefits associated with the adoption of a decentralized water treatment distribution infrastructure. Water technologies must enable this important change in order to better our world. SafeLight is such a technology.