An apparatus for treating a contaminated fluid has a UV lamp within a tubular housing. A plurality of baffles within the housing create meandering pathways parallel to the lamp for exposing the fluid to the UV light along the entire length of the pathways. A photocatalytic coating on the baffles and inner surfaces of the housing is maintained within a pre-set radial distance, preferably no more than about 75 mm, from the lamp for optimal creation of a photocatalytic reactant. The contaminated fluid flowing through the meandering pathways is maintained in close proximity to the lamp and has adequate time for exposure to the ultraviolet light and photocatalytic reactant for treatment before exiting the housing. The baffles are removably positioned within the housing for convenient maintenance or to alter the length of the pathways, without re-sizing the housing. This apparatus is considered an affordable and compact environmental protection device capable of “redefining pollution control” by potentially mitigating close to 100% of harmful bacteria and toxic compounds.
