How-to · 5 min
UV bulb replacement for well water systems
UV lamps lose germicidal power before they burn out. Replace on schedule, keep the sleeve clean, and pretreat iron and sediment.
- Author
- WaterFilterHelp Editorial Team
- Canadian home-water research and consumer education
- Reviewed by
- WaterFilterHelp Standards Review
- Fact-checked against official Canadian guidance and certification sources
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-23
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Annual lamp rule
Most residential UV lamps should be replaced about once a year even if they still glow. Output drops below disinfection design over time.
Clean the quartz sleeve
Film from iron, hardness and organics blocks UV light. Wipe the sleeve during lamp changes; replace cracked sleeves immediately.
Pretreatment matters
Cloudy or high-iron water can make UV ineffective. Sediment and iron stages belong upstream.
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