Research and development professionals in the drinking fountain industry have long known that ultraviolet light is highly effective at inactivating harmful bacteria and other pathogens found in water. The challenge has been harnessing the UV light so that it is mercury-free, draws minimal energy, and becomes a cost-effective new feature that will appeal to end users. To meet this challenge, OASIS® International is introducing its new QUASAR™ bottle fillers.
QUASAR™ bottle fillers, for the first time ever, utilize an energy-efficient, ecologically smart, light-emitting diode (LED) to deliver UV light, specifically UV-C, to cleanse drinking water as it comes out of the dispenser.
QUASAR fillers achieve a 99.99% reduction of common waterborne pathogens, including giardia, legionella, listeria, cryptosporidium, shigella, and E. coli, among others. When paired with OASIS water filters, also available with each unit, QUASAR provides the ultimate in safe, pure, pathogen-free drinking water.
QUASAR’s exclusive UV-C LED is active directly at the dispense point, offering a number of advantages. First, it disinfects not only the water but the dispense point itself—protecting its surface from accidental hand touching or other contact that might carry bacteria. Second, the LED is always ready for action, requiring no time to “warm up” like conventional UV lamps. Not only do those traditional UV lights need time to get ready to disinfect, they get physically warm. QUASAR’s UV LEDs won’t heat the water, assuring a refreshing draw every time. Cool operation also means no fouling, no scaling, and no mineral deposits.
UV light exists between visible light and x-ray on the electromagnetic spectrum. It is divided into four subcategories: V-UV, UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A. UV-C photons are desirable for protection against pathogens because they penetrate organic cells and damage their DNA, rendering them incapable of reproduction and microbiologically dead.
QUASAR’s LEDs treat water without using harmful chemicals or altering taste. Where conventional UV lamps contain mercury, a hazardous material that requires special disposal, UV-C LEDs are mercury-free and easy to dispose of at the end of service life (which is estimated at three years or more). QUASAR’s LED assembly is self-contained and easy to replace.
For added protection, QUASAR’s alcove is manufactured with FRESHIELD®, OASIS’ exclusive silver-based antimicrobial compound, to prevent degradation and deterioration caused by bacterial growth.
QUASAR marks a bold new step forward from OASIS and strategic partner AquiSense Technologies, the world’s largest supplier of UV-C LED disinfection systems, in the point-of-use battle against waterborne pathogens.
To find out more about the exciting new pathogen-fighting abilities of QUASAR, contact OASIS at 800.646.2747 or info@oasiscoolers.com.