Comparison of UV LED and Traditional Lamp Technologies: The Future of Water Treatment. In water treatment and public health, Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is a cornerstone technology. Disrupting the molecular structure of microbial DNA and RNA, it prevents replication and renders bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts inactive. For decades, the industry has relied on low or medium-pressure mercury UV lamps providing a stable 254 nm UVC wavelength.