There are several good UV water treatment systems available for treating a single drinking dispenser faucet, but the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. We help you choose the right system to keep your drinking water clean. Discover the pros and cons of each system, along with key features and benefits, to find the perfect solution for your home or business.
Best Single Tap UV Water Purifiers
Best Under-Sink UV Water Filters
Comparison Chart of Single Faucet UV Water Treatment Systems
| VIQUA VT1 | VIQUA VT4 | VIQUA S2Q-PA | |
| Flow rate | 1 gpm | 3.5 gpm | 3 gpm |
| UV Dose Delivery | no less than 40 mJ/cm2 | no less than 40 mJ/cm2 | 2 GPM (40mJ/cm2 Dose); 3 GPM (30mJ/cm2 Dose); 5 GPM (16mJ/cm2 Dose) |
| Installation | Vertical (recommended) or horizontal | Vertical (recommended) or horizontal | Vertical (recommended) or horizontal |
| Annual Cost | <$100 | >$100 | >$100 |
| Power Consumption | 13W | 20W | 22W |
| Electrical | 100-240v, 50/60HZ | 100-240v, 50/60HZ | 100-240v, 50/60HZ |
Viqua VT1 UV Water Purifier
The Viqua VT1 UV water sterilizer system is designed to provide reliable and efficient water treatment by using ultraviolet light to inactivate common waterborne pathogens* including cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † . This system works best when paired with a reverse osmosis drinking water system. Here are some of the pros and cons of this system:
Viqua VT1
Pros of VT1
✅ Effective water treatment
✅ Easy to install
✅ Requires very little maintenance
✅ Great paired with under-sink RO
✅ Energy efficient
✅ Space saving design
Cons
❌ Low flow rates
❌ Does not improve taste and odor of water
❌ Needs electricity to operate
❌ Requires authentic VIQUA lamp
What are the Pros of VIQUA VT1 UV system?
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Effective treatment: The Viqua VT1 uses powerful ultraviolet light to provide added protection that a reverse osmosis drinking water system can't provide. It eliminates up to 99.99% of harmful waterborne bacteria and viruses such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † .
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Easy to install: The system comes with clear and concise instructions for installation and can be easily installed by a plumber or homeowner with basic plumbing skills.
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Low maintenance: The system requires minimal maintenance (with no tools). Simple annual replacement of the UV lamp and periodic cleaning of the quartz sleeve.
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Perfect pairing: The Viqua VT1 works well as a companion to an under-sink RO drinking water system. It should be installed after the RO system on the line going to the RO faucet.
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Energy-efficient: The system is designed to use minimal energy, which helps save on electricity costs over time. Learn more in our UV Buyer's Guide.
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Space-saving design: The compact design of the Viqua VT1 water filter allows for easy installation in small spaces, making it an ideal option for homes and businesses with limited space.
What are the cons of the VIQUA VT1 UV system?
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Low flow rates: The Viqua VT1 is designed to provide adequate drinking water at flow rates of one gallon per minute. The system may not be suitable for use in households with high water usage.
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Limited filtration capabilities: The Viqua VT1 does not filter out sediment, dirt, or other contaminants that may be present in the water supply. For this reason, we recommend pairing the VT1 UV system with your existing RO drinking water system. If you do not have an RO system, we recommend the VT4-DWS.
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Needs electricity to operate: The system relies on electricity to operate, which means that it may not be suitable for use in areas where there is limited or unreliable power.
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Requires authentic Viqua UV lamp: Damage arising from the use of non-genuine lamps poses a safety risk and is not covered by equipment warranty.
Viqua VT4 UV Water Purifier
The Viqua VT4 is a compact and efficient UV water treatment system that is easy to install and use. The system treats up to 3.5 gallons of water per minute and can easily ensure all of the cold water coming out of a primary faucet is free from bacteria and viruses such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † . The VT4 uses a high-output UV lamp to treat water, making it a popular option for homes and businesses. Here are some pros and cons of the system.
Viqua VT4
Pros of VT4
✅ Higher flow rates
✅ Effective water treatment
✅ Easy to install
✅ Requires very little maintenance
✅ Energy efficient
✅ Environmentally friendly
✅ Outstanding warranty
Cons
❌ Initial cost
❌ Limited filtration
❌ Requires electricity
❌ Requires authentic VIQUA lamp
❌ Only works for certain water types
What we like about the VIQUA VT4 UV System
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Higher Flow Rates: The VT4 offers flow rates of 3.5 gpm over the 1 gpm flow rate of the VT1.
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Effective treatment: The Viqua VT4 uses UV-C light to destroy 99.99% of harmful microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † , without adding any harsh chemicals to the water. Learn more about UV water treatment.
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Easy installation: The system is easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware for mounting and connecting to your water supply.
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Low maintenance: The UV lamp can be changed without tools and only needs to be replaced once a year. The quartz sleeve should be cleaned every 12 months to ensure the system's optimal performance. Water conditions may require additional sleeve cleaning.
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Energy-efficient: The system uses very little electricity making it a great choice for home use.
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Outstanding warranty: This Viqua system come with a 10-year warranty on the UV chamber.
What we don't like about VIQUA VT4 UV System
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Initial cost: While maintenance costs are low on the VT4, the up-front cost of the system may be higher than other treatment methods due to the higher flow rates it offers.
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Limited filtration: The Viqua VT4 UV treatment system is designed to treat water but does not remove sediment, fluoride, chlorine, pesticides or other impurities from the water. We recommend installing this system with a single-faucet RO water filter system for top-quality drinking water.
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Requires electricity: The system needs a reliable source of electricity to function, which can be a concern in areas prone to power outages or if there is no electrical outlet available near the installation location.
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Requires authentic Viqua UV lamp: Damage arising from the use of non-genuine lamps poses a safety risk and is not covered by equipment warranty.
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Only suitable for certain water types: The Viqua VT4 UV system is most effective for treating clear water sources with low levels of turbidity. If the water has a high level of sediment or turbidity, it may not be as effective at treatment.
Viqua S2Q-PA UV Water Purifier
The VIQUA S2Q-PA UV is a powerful single tap water treatment system. It is designed to provide treated drinking water by using ultraviolet light to eliminate 99.99% bacteria and viruses, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † . Here are some of the pros and cons of this system
Viqua S2Q-PA
Pros of the S2Q-PA
✅ Monitored system
✅ Easy to install
✅ Environmentally friendly
✅ Low maintenance
✅ Compact design
Cons of the S2Q-PA
❌ Limited filtration
❌ Limited flow rates (3 gpm)
❌ Requires electricity
❌ Initial cost
What are the pros of the VIQUA S2Q-PA UV system?
- Monitored System: The VIQUA S2Q-PA stands out from other single faucet UV water treatment systems as it includes an LCD display that tells lamp life remaining and controller run time.
- Easy to install: The system is designed to be easy to install and operate, and it comes with clear instructions and all the necessary hardware to set it up.
- Low maintenance: The system requires an annual UV lamp change. The UV sleeve should be cleaned when the lamp is replaced, but water conditions may require cleaning more often.
- Compact design: The system has a compact design, which makes it easy to install even in small spaces such as under a kitchen sink.
What are the cons of the VIQUA S2Q-PA UV system?
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Limited filtration: The VIQUA S2Q-PA UV water treatment system provides powerful protection from harmful waterborne microbes, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus † , but it does not filter out other contaminants such as sediment, fluoride, chlorine, or pesticides. We recommend pairing this UV sterilizer with an under-sink reverse osmosis system.
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Limited flow rate: The system has a limited flow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute, which may not be sufficient for larger households or commercial applications.
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Dependence on electricity: The system relies on electricity to function, which means that if there is a power outage, you will need a backup power supply to keep water safe from microbial contaminants.
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Cost: Because the VIQUA S2Q-PA UV water disinfection system includes the BA-ICE-S controller, it is a little more expensive compared to other water single faucet UV systems.
Overall, the VIQUA S2Q-PA UV water treatment system is a highly effective solution for treating water, but it may not be suitable for all households or applications due to its limited filtration and flow rate. Additionally, it requires electricity to function, and it can be relatively expensive./collections/system/viqua
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