Water Filter and Purification System

Our water filter and purification system uses two water filters and UV light purification. We first learned of this system design from Michael Pollock who had been installing these for 15 years in Cuba. Since installing them ourselves we have received input to help simplify the design and we have reduced the cost to under $1000.

Water is filtered removing sediment and suspended impurities, then the water passe through a UV light chamber killing or sterilizing bacteria so it can not reproduce. Our food, water and even the air we breathe contain bacteria that can make us sick. When we consume large quantities of bacteria and it reproduces in our gut or if we have a weakened immune system, then the contaminates can make us very sick. The best system available will removing 99.99% of the contamination and prevent the remaining .01% from being able to reproduce.

System Details

(updated 2018.11.29)
ItemDescriptionCost
UV purification unitViqua D4 UV purification system 12GPM, including: UV light unit, UV bulb, o-ring, countdown timer, mounting brackets$543
Replacement UV bulbReplacement Viqua UV 602805 12-month bulb$94
Filter housingPentair blue 10inch housing with pressure relief valve$34
Housing brackets90 degree wall brackets with screws$12
5micron filterPentair 5 micron 10 inch filter$5
1micron filterPentair 1 micron 10 inch filter$9
Brass shutoff valve(2) 3/4inch brass shut-off valves to isolate filter housings for replacing filters$24
PVC pipe3/4inch schedule 40 PCV pipe, 1/2inch schedule 40 PVC pipe$8
PVC fittings90deg elbows, T fittings, threaded/slip couplings, 1/2inch end caps$20
Clear site tubes1/2inch clear PVC pipe$2
Brass fittings90 deg elbows, 3/4inch threaded coupling$12
Status light4 inch project box, red, blue indicator lights, on/off switch$14
Copper outflow3/4inch copper pipe, threaded coupling, 90 deg elbow, 12 inch unit to handle hot outflow from UV system$15
Faucet3/4inch bib valve$5
Mounting blocks3/4inch board, 2x4 block to raise and mount system to wall matching UV light distance from wall$7

Optionally we provide a replacement UV bulb and extra filters to help maintain the system for 12 months after installation. This system can be assembled for just about $1,000 including transportation, shipping and optional pipe and fittings to meet the needs for your location. Our goal is to keep refining this design and get the cost under $800. We often donate the tools we bring to the project sight to the community. We also provide water test kits so the community can monitor the system and to raise awareness about water sanitation. See our page on Water Quality to read more about our test kits.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS, PLANS and SPECS

  • Mike Pollacks' System Specs [HTML]
  • Generic Watersystem Specs [PDF]