The other way people can go about protecting themselves from possible infections due to water contamination is solar water disinfection. This particular method uses already contaminated water and the sun’s light in order to purify water. Households are able to fill their clear canteens and expose it to direct sunlight for 6 hours. This is effective because the UV light is able to kill the microorganisms that live inside water and cause diseases, such as Cholera. SODIS seems like a best possible option for developing countries like Ethiopia because it is virtually inexpensive, does not change the taste of the water, is applicable and simple in use, and relies on reusable energy. This method is easy to replicate and causes no strain on a household.
The way SODIS works in disinfecting is through obtaining a clear plastic container, no more than 3 liters. This container should be washed clean for the first time, and filled with water for two third. Then water bottles are closed and shaken for 20 seconds to aerate the water and after that they are filled full. SODIS is more efficient in water containing high level of oxygen; sunlight produces highly reactive forms of oxygen in water. These reactive molecules react with cell structures and kill the pathogens. Once the bottles are exposed to the sun, they should not be moved anymore, as continuous shaking of the bottles during the solar exposer will reduce the efficiency of the process. Bottles are ideally placed on a corrugated iron sheet or roof to be exposed to the sun for as long as possible during the day.
The water that is inputted into these containers should be relatively clear due to the fact that any large particles will prevent the penetration of sunlight. If the water contains too many particles, it must be pre-treated beforehand through a filtration process, which should be a relatively easy thing to accomplish. Once the, virtually, clear water is put into these 3 liter containers, it can then be placed...
