本文总结了美国环境保护局（USEPA）于1996年首次发表的报告《饮用水紫外线消毒技术的应用——概述》中的研究结果。该报告描述了一种可用于满足拟议地下水消毒规则（GWDR）的消毒技术。根据1996年《安全饮用水法案》（SDWA），最终的GWDR将于2000年11月发布。在美国环境保护局GWDR治疗评估的早期阶段，可用性、操作特点和经济考虑是核心。本文遵循美国环保局报告的格式，提供背景信息并评估紫外线功效； 紫外线的生存和维护；描述案例研究；并初步评估了紫外线处理的成本。包括27个参考文献、表格和图表。

This article summarizes the results presented in US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) report "Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Technology in Drinking Water Application -- An Overview," which was first published in 1996. The report describes one disinfection technique that may be used to meet the proposed Ground Water Disinfection Rule (GWDR). The final GWDR is to be issued by November 2000, as required by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Availability, operational characteristics, and economic considerations have been central in the early phases of GWDR treatment evaluation at USEPA. This article, which follows the format of the USEPA report, provides background information and assesses UV light efficacy; UV viability, and maintenance; describes case studies; and evaluates, in a preliminary fashion, the costs of UV treatment. Includes 27 references, tables, figures.