An international collaboration between the US and European water industries is accelerating the adoption of UV-C LED technology for municipal water disinfection. Norwegian utility Glitrevannverket is partnering with Danish engineering consultancy Rambøll and UV-C LED UV-C LED supplier AquiSense, Inc. to pilot multiple units designed for municipal and industrial water treatment. The innovation project, partially funded by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, represents a development in sustainable water disinfection efforts.
The pilot project at the Setervann water treatment facility near Asker, Norway, is conducting extensive testing to evaluate the technical, operational, and economic performance of UV-C LED technology. This facility was selected due to its water quality, which closely resembles that of many Norwegian water sources. The findings from this initiative will provide critical insights into the feasibility of implementing UV-LED technology across Norwegian water treatment systems and beyond.
AquiSense’s PearlAqua Kilo unit is being tested for its ability to integrate UV-C LEDs into a compact, chemical-free, and mercury-free design. With a capacity of up to 6 MGD (22,712 m3/D), this system ensures future compliance with impending regulations on mercury usage, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional UV systems.
Glitrevannverket leads the way in Norway’s first municipal UV-C LED pilot project
The Glitrevannverket project is Norway’s first municipal-scale UV-C LED initiative, reflecting a growing shift toward sustainable disinfection technologies. This project follows AquiSense’s first municipal-scale UV-C LED installation in North America at the Las Vegas Valley Water District, reflecting a broader shift towards mercury-free water treatment approaches.
Tor Håkonsen, global spearhead manager for water and wastewater treatment, emphasized the significance of this pilot project: “This installation is a critical step in evaluating UV-C LED technology for municipal water treatment. It presents an exciting opportunity to assess real-world performance, operational stability, and cost efficiency to guide future implementation in Norway and internationally.”
Marius Asheim, managing director of Glitrevannverket, highlighted the importance of innovation in water safety: “We supply drinking water to 160,000 people and take our responsibility seriously in monitoring and testing new technologies. The Setervann facility, as a reserve water source, provides an ideal environment for controlled testing without impacting regular water supply. We look forward to sharing our findings with the broader water industry.”
Collaboration with Rambøll marks AquiSense’s first large-scale utility project in Europe following company buyout
The Glitrevannverket project is AquiSense’s first large-scale municipal installation in Europe following its recent buyout from Nikkiso America. Founded in 2014, AquiSense was among the first companies to commercialize UV-C LED technology for disinfection. After its acquisition by Nikkiso Co Ltd in 2016, AquiSense became independently owned in 2025 through an employee and external investor buyout, strengthening its commitment to innovation in UV LED technology.
“It is encouraging to see a European utility take the lead in adopting UV-C LED disinfection,” said Oliver Lawal, founder and CEO of AquiSense, Inc. “As we continue to see increased interest from water utilities worldwide, this collaboration with Glitrevannverket and Rambøll contributes to the growing adoption of UV-C LED technology in large-scale applications.”
UV-C LED technology likely to replace traditional UV systems over the next decade
As water utilities seek alternatives to traditional mercury-based lamps, UV-C LED technology is positioned to become the industry standard. Currently, 98% of the UV disinfection market relies on mercury-based systems. However, with global restrictions on mercury use tightening and a complete mining ban set for 2032 under the Minamata Convention, the transition to LED-based UV disinfection is expected to accelerate.
The Minamata Convention, adopted in 2013 and enforced in 2017, aims to reduce mercury pollution, recognizing it as one of the World Health Organization’s top ten chemicals of major public concern. Mercury pollution poses severe health and environmental risks, underscoring the urgency for sustainable disinfection alternatives.
With strict regulations ahead, UV-C LED systems provide a mercury-free, energy-efficient, and long-lasting solution for water treatment. The Glitrevannverket pilot project provides insights into the potential of this technology, paving the way for widespread adoption across the global water industry.
