Solar Water Disinfection
SODIS, short for Solar Water Disinfection, is a simple way to treat water that may be contaminated with pathogenic organisms and make it drinkable.
Throughout the world water borne disease takes a heavy toll on health and life. SODIS utilizes two simple materials that are easily obtainable - plastic bottles, and the sun to kill microorganisms that make people sick.
The SODIS method is an easy way to make water safe to drink. Simply fill clear plastic PET bottles with water and place them in the sun. Over the course of six hours to two days, UV radiation and an increase in water temperature will destroy nearly all the organisms in the water and make the water fit to drink.
The UV-A wavelength of use in SODIS is in the 320 to 400 nm range. If the water temperature goes above 50 degrees Celcius the water will be disinfected three times faster.
Solar Water Disinfection method is gaining favor in many areas where safe drinking water is needed. SODIS can also be of use to people in a survival situation.
See Survival Topics article: Solar Water Disinfection
