Deactivating Escherichia Coli, Enterococcus Faecalis and Clostridium Perfringens from a Real Wastewater Effluent Using UV-Leds

UV-LEDs of different wavelengths (265 nm, 275 nm and 310 nm) have been used for treating real wastewater from the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant in Linares (Spain), with real organic matter content, for E.coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium perfringens disinfection. Experimental results demonstrate that 265 nm was the most effective wavelength for inactivation of the three different bacteria strains, followed closely by 275 nm wavelength. 310 nm wavelength showed a significantly lower inactivation rate so it would not be recommended for practical applications.C. Perfringens required higher UV doses and therefore longer time exposure periods to achieve complete inactivation.