How Data-driven Technologies are Transforming Water Sustainability?

Understanding Ozonation and UV Technologies

Years ago, bottled water was a luxury, reserved mostly for the health-conscious elite. Technology had not yet knocked the doors of the industry, and commercial bottling operations were undertaken manually. Fast forward to the present, automation and technology have transformed the process, where each minute witnesses thousands of bottles getting filled, capped, and shipped to consumers.

Here, the role of industry bodies like FDA, WHO and BIS becomes important, as they shoulder the responsibility of ensuring optimal purity and hygiene of commercially bottled water by putting in place stringent safety standards. Modern bottling facilities therefore utilize cutting-edge disinfection technologies that can win the battle against pathogens in real-time.

Two of the most widely accepted methods for water disinfection in commercial bottling worldwide are Ozonation and UV. Both technologies offer distinct advantages that have made them preferred treatment solutions across the industry.

For over half a century, ozonation has been a trusted method for water treatment in commercial bottling. Originally introduced to combat microbial contamination, it has evolved into a versatile process that eradicates both organic and inorganic pollutants. Ozone stands out as one of nature's most powerful oxidizing agents, offering approximately 50% greater oxidation potential than chlorine.

In water bottling plants, ozonation typically takes place just prior to the bottling stage. An ozone generator produces ozone gas, a low concentration of which is dissolved into water using specialized contact systems. The injection rapidly attacks and kills bacteria, viruses and other contaminants, breaking down into oxygen within minutes, leaving no chemical residuals.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) suggests applying ozone in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 milligrams per litre with a contact time of four to ten minutes to achieve optimal results. Excessive levels may result in an aftertaste, while insufficient levels may allow bacteria spores to contaminate water.

What makes this treatment particularly attractive for commercial bottling is that besides offering superior disinfection, it also sterilises the bottling equipment, the bottle itself, and the sealed cap — enhancing the shelf life of the product.

UV treatment, on the other hand, takes a fundamentally different approach, using ultraviolet light in the 254-nanometer wavelength range to inactivate microorganisms. UV light damages the genetic material of bacteria and viruses, preventing them from reproducing.

Right before bottling, water is passed through a UV reactor chamber, exposed to high-intensity UV-C light. This creates thymine dimers in the DNA of pathogens, preventing cellular replication and causing immediate inactivation, resulting in water that meets all regulatory standards of quality and purity.

What makes UV treatment attractive is its physical rather than chemical approach. Unlike chlorination, UV doesn't introduce any chemicals into the water, preserving its natural taste and composition, while leaving no odor or chemical residues behind.

Comparing the Two Technology Giants

Although both technologies can be compared extensively across a range of parameters, here is a comparison across key points.

Effectiveness Against Contaminants: While both technologies excel at removing harmful microbes, ozonation scores high due to its broader and more powerful scope of disinfection — from organic contaminants to chlorine-resistant pathogens and certain dissolved metals. Winner: Ozonation.

Water Quality Dependency: UV treatment may not be effective in turbid or coloured water with organic content. In such conditions, pre-treatment becomes vital. Ozonation, on the other hand, performs well across a wide range of source water qualities. Winner: Ozonation.

Energy Consumption: UV systems typically offer better energy efficiency, especially with modern low-pressure lamp designs that use minimal electrical input. Ozonation, in contrast, requires greater energy for ozone generation. Winner: UV.

Installation and Maintenance: UV systems are compact and easy to install, with simpler maintenance requirements. Ozonation systems have more complex installation and maintenance needs, including servicing the ozone generator and off-gas destruction systems. Winner: UV.

Volume of Processing: Large ozonation systems are capable of processing high volumes per day while maintaining consistent treatment quality, making them ideal for large-scale commercial operations. UV works well for small to medium bottlers prioritizing chemical-free purity. Winner: Ozonation.

In terms of disinfection method, ozonation uses chemical oxidation while UV uses physical treatment via UV-C light. Ozonation has a broader scope of effectiveness and can treat all types of source water, while UV's effectiveness is limited by turbidity and colour, requiring critical pre-treatment.

Ozonation requires 5-20 minutes of contact time, while UV disinfection is instantaneous. Ozonation improves water taste and clarity by oxidizing organic compounds, metals and odor-causing substances, while UV preserves the water's natural taste and mineral content.

Beyond water disinfection, ozonation also disinfects the bottling equipment, bottle, and sealed cap, whereas UV disinfects only the water itself. Ozonation is ideal for large-scale plants, while UV is best suited for small to medium plants.

In terms of cost, ozonation is costlier to implement and maintain, while UV is more cost-effective to operate. Ozonation requires higher electrical energy and is therefore less energy efficient, while UV requires lower electrical energy and is more energy efficient.

Installation and maintenance complexity is high for ozonation and moderate for UV. Ozonation requires large space for contact tanks, generators, and off-gas handling systems, while UV needs only compact reactor chambers. Ozonation is relatively less environment-friendly, while UV is an eco-friendly technology that produces no harmful byproducts.

Choosing the Right Technology

One scores high on certain parameters, while the other outperforms in some others. Here, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' technology. Commercial bottling operations across the globe differ in their size, scale, economics and requirements.

Needless to say, each operation's decision to choose a particular technology would be unique. Several bottling facilities utilize both ozonation and UV treatment, one performed after the other, to achieve high-quality outcomes.

Ozonation vs UV: What Works Best in Commercial Bottling? The answer is simple. If the disinfection needs are extensive — including bottle or equipment sanitization — source water is highly contaminated, and costs and resources are not a concern, then ozonation could be a more apt solution.

On the other hand, if the source water is turbid or coloured, the size and scale of operation is small, and a chemical-free purification method is preferred, UV technology could be a better fit.

Take a wise call!