Clayton County building water plants using ultraviolet light

JONESBORO - Clayton County is building three water treatment plants, costing almost $7 million, that will use ultraviolet light to help kill microscopic organisms. <br> <br> UV treatment of drinking water is common in Europe, but only eight sizable water systems in the United States use it, according to a survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. <br> <br> The plants in Clayton County, in the southern suburbs of Atlanta, will be the first of their kind in Georgia, said Bill Morris, a manager with the state Environmental Protection Division. <br> <br> Clayton&#39;s chlorine treatment and particle filtration is &#39;&#39;99.9999 percent&#39;&#39; effective and will continue, said Guy Pihera, a county Water Authority manager. But chlorine is less effective against the microscopic parasites known as protozoans if they&#39;ve developed a shell, Pihera said. UV light kills protozoans in their shells. <br> <br> ``We look at it as added protection for the customers,&#39;&#39; said Michael Buffington, the authority&#39;s planning and construction manager. <br> <br> Clayton water serves approximately 62,000 households. All three facilities are scheduled to come on line next March.