Solar Water Disinfection Considerations: Using Ultraviolet Light Methods To Make Water Safe To Drink

Abstract

Through many decades of research and innovation-development. UV disinfection technology has seen significant advances in the types of water that can be treated, the operation and maintenance of the UV equipment, and the overall cost effectiveness of a UV system. Solar water disinfection, also known as SODIS, is a water treatment system using two readily available materials: sunlight and plastic PET bottles. SODIS solves the problem of making water safe from micro-organisms that cause water-borne diseases simply by placing contaminated water into clear plastic bottles and exposing them to the sunlight. This makes SODIS an excellent tool in the survivors kit. In order to make water safe to drink, further treatment is necessary. The most recognized and established treatment is to boil the water to kill the micro-organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, in the water. The type and shape of the container used for SODIS water treatment is important. SODIS efficiency depends on the physical condition of the plastic bottles. Mechanical scratches and aging reduce the efficiency of SODIS. Heavily scratched or old bottles should be replaced.