Site Accessibility Information Access Key 1 to Skip to Top Navigation Access Key 2 to Skip to the Three One One link Access Key 3 to Skip to City of Winnipeg Main Menu Access Key 4 to Skip to Left Navigation Menu Access Key 5 to Skip to Content area Access Key 6 to Skip to Right Sidebar content area Access Key 7 to Skip to Footer Links

Water treatment program

Ultraviolet light disinfection

A multi-barrier approach is the best protection for Winnipeg's water. Ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection has been operating and protecting Winnipeg residents against waterborne parasites since May 2006. It was the first treatment process of our new water treatment program.

Why are we using UV disinfection?

We disinfect our water with chlorine to protect against harmful viruses and bacteria, such as E. Coli. However, chlorine is not effective against waterborne parasites such as Cryptosporidium (Crypto). These parasites can cause illness and can be life-threatening to some people. Crypto has been found in almost all surface waters in Canada and the United States. We routinely test our water and samples from Shoal Lake and Deacon Reservoir are normally negative for Crypto. While the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak is low, UV virtually eliminates this risk.

What is UV disinfection?

Photo of the water treatment program's ultraviolet light chamber

One of six stainless steel UV disinfection chambers

UV is nature's own disinfection method. UV light rays are found in natural sunlight. Ultraviolet light disinfection involves exposing water to UV light rays. The UV light rays penetrate micro-organisms and destroy their ability to reproduce. They are no longer able to cause infection and illness and are therefore harmless. UV light, at the doses used in our facility, effectively protects against parasites, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

How does UV disinfection work?

Water flows through six stainless steel chambers. Inside each chamber are nine lamps, similar to fluorescent bulbs. Each lamp is housed in a transparent, waterproof quartz sleeve. The sleeves are submerged in the chambers. As the water flows through the chambers, the micro-organisms are exposed to the UV light rays. There is one sensor outside each sleeve to ensure that an adequate UV light intensity is applied.

How long is the water exposed to the UV light?

The water needs only a few seconds of exposure to the light to inactivate micro-organisms.

Overview of UV chambers installed inside Deacon Reservior pumping station

UV chambers installed inside
Deacon Reservoir pumping station

Where was UV disinfection installed?

The UV disinfection chambers were installed in the existing Deacon Reservoir pumping station. This innovative approach saved $34 million, when compared to the cost of early construction of a stand alone UV disinfection facility.

How much did it cost to install the UV system?

The cost to install UV disinfection was about $9 million.

What are the advantages of UV disinfection?

Ultraviolet light disinfection:

  • is very safe – there are no dangerous chemicals to handle, store, or monitor
  • has no danger of overdosing or over-treating
  • is environmentally friendly – other than disposing of used lamps, there is little or no impact on the environment
  • causes no change to the taste, odour, pH, or the general chemistry of the water
  • requires very little contact time as the disinfection process is immediate – there is no need for holding tanks
  • has few moving parts to wear out
Other interesting facts:

Internal view of UV disinfection chamber

Internal view of UV disinfection chamber

Stainless steel
chambers (6)

Weight of each chamber
Length of each chamber
Diameter of each chamber
2,700 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.95 metres (13 feet)
1.22 metres (4 feet)
Lamps (54)
Cost of each lamp
Guaranteed life
Lamp power rating
$940.00
5,000 hours
20 kW
Sleeves (54)
Guaranteed life
Cost of each sleeve
10 years
$800.00
Sensors (54)
Cost of each sensor
$1,600
Last updated: June 29, 2018

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.