Sodis
From The SMARTsite
SODIS, Solar Water Disinfection, improves the microbiological quality of drinking water, using solar UV-A radiation and temperature to inactivate pathogens causing diarrhoea by using PET bottles.
Contents |
Original idea of:
EAWAG/ SANDEC (source material)
Price category
Less then 1$
Long description
The Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) process is a simple technology used to improve the microbiological quality of drinking water. SODIS uses solar radiation to destroy pathogenic microorganisms which cause water borne diseases.
SODIS is ideal to treat small quantities of water. Contaminated water is filled into transparent plastic bottles and exposed to full sunlight for six hours.
Sunlight is treating the contaminated water through two synergetic mechanisms: Radiation in the spectrum of UV-A (wavelength 320-400nm) and increased water temperature. If the water temperatures raises above 50°C, the disinfection process is three times faster.
Instructions for use
Requirements
Wheather and climate
SODIS requires sun radiation and temperature:
- the container needs to be exposed to the sun for 6 hours if the sky is bright or up to 50% cloudy
- the container needs to be exposed to the sun for 2 consecutive days if the sky is 100% cloudy,
- during days of continuous rainfall, SODIS does not perform satisfactorily. Rainwater harvesting is recommended during these days.
- if a water temperature of at least 50°C is reached, an exposure time of 1 hour is sufficient
- The most favourable region for SODIS lies between latitudes 15°N/ S and 35°N/ S. These semi-arid regions are characterized by high solar radiation and limited cloud coverage and rainfall (3000 hours sunshine per year). The second most favourable region lies between the equator and latitude 15°N/ S, the scattered radiation in this region is quite high (2500 hours sunshine per year).
Water Turbidity Suspended particles in the water reduce the penetration of solar radiation into the water and protect microorganisms from being irradiated.
- SODIS requires relatively clear water with a turbidity less than 30 NTU.
- In water with higher turbidity than 30 NTU pathogens will have to be inactivated by the temperature rather than radiation (>50°C for at least an hour) or the water has to be filtered before being exposed to the sun.
- Water Turbidity Test: see sodis.ch
Material and Shape of the Containers Various types of transparent plastic materials are good transmitters of light in the UV and visible range of the solar spectrum.
- Plastic bottles made from PET (PolyEthylene Terephtalate) are preferred because they contain less UV-stabilisators than PVC (PolyVinylChloride) bottles.
How to distinguish PET and PVC: Bottles of PVC often have a bluish gleam. If PVC is burnt, the smell of the smoke is pungent, whereas the smell of PET is sweet.
- Glass: Also glass bottles can be used for SODIS. But it is not possible to construct shallow, large containers using ordinary window glass, as window glass does not transmit UV-radiation adequately.
- Shape of Containers: UV radiation is reduced by increasing water depth. At a water depth of 10cm and moderate turbidity of 26 NTU, UV-A radiation is reduced to 50%. This means that PET bottles do not have the most efficient shape for SODIS as they have a small area for sunlight exposure and have a water depth of 6-10cm. Containers with a larger exposed area per water volume would be more efficient. However, PET soft drink bottles are often easily available and thus more practical for the SODIS application.
Maintenance
Ageing of plastic bottles (due to mechanical scratches and due to photoproducts) leads to a reduction of UV transmittance which will reduce the efficiency of SODIS. Heavily scratched or old, blind bottles should be replaced.
Remarks
Oxygen plays an important role in killing the pathogens: Sunlight produces highly reactive forms of oxygen (oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxides) in the water. These reactive molecules contribute in the destruction process of the microorganisms. Under normal conditions (rivers, creeks, wells, ponds, tap) water contains sufficient oxygen (more than 3 mg Oxygen per litre) and does not have to be aerated before the application of SODIS.
Successfully implemented in country/region
Latin America: Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatamala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Brasil. Asia: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Vietnam, Philippines, Bhutan, Cameroon. Africa: Kenya, Uganda. - used by approximately 2 Million people
