How Does Solar Disinfection Work?

The science of solar disinfection has been proven with over 25 years of research by the science community including The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag/Sandec) www.sodis.ch. The Water School has refined this technology and has developed a successful and sustainable implementation program.

Knowing that children are often agents of change, solar disinfection is typically implemented through schools. As children stop getting sick due to water borne diseases because they are consuming only purified water, the technology is transferred into their homes and adopted by the family.

The Water School focuses on health and sanitation through solar disinfection. Ordinary plastic bottles are used to purify the water using only a hard surface and the free UV rays of the sun. These bottles are plentiful and inexpensive in most countries.

Within 35° latitude of the equator (the complete continent of Africa), the sun’s UV rays, a hard surface, and clear bottles are all that is needed to change filthy surface water from deadly and undrinkable to pure, safe, and life altering. Contaminated water is poured into clear plastic bottles and then left in the sun. Once one full sunny day or two full cloudy days has passed, the cleansed water is ready and safe to be consumed.

Countless tests performed by The Water School and other scientists around the world have proven that this system works. $50 of readily available materials and the free UV rays of the sun can provide clean drinking water for life.