An ultraviolet water treatment system comprising a water chamber having a water intake for untreated water to enter the chamber, and a water outlet for water to leave the chamber; an ultraviolet light source; and a fibre optic rod having a distributing end and a receiving end, the receiving end is located to receive the focused ultraviolet light from the light source and convey the light through the rod and out the distributing end into the chamber to treat the water.