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SUN, BOTTLES AND BEESWAX: LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR CLEAN WATER USING SOLAR DISINFECTION
Impact/Purpose:
This proposed research integrates the science of solar disinfection to clean water and the end-use container; chemistry to determine the effects of heat and ultraviolet radiation on plastic bottles; biology to evaluate efficacy of the treatment method to reduce detrimental microorganisms; appropriate technology to develop a practical treatment and indicator method; and sustainability to incorporate the use of local resources and consideration of environmental, social, economic and institutional factors.
Description:
Lack of clean drinking water poses a serious health threat in the developing world, especially to children under the age of five. Point-of-Use (POU) water treatment has been shown to decrease the incidence of diarrhea by 30-40% in some studies. The focus of this proposal is solar disinfection (SODIS) of water in reused plastic bottles, a low-cost method that will use available local resources as well as thermal heat and ultraviolet exposure to kill pathogens in drinking water. We also propose to develop a prototype beeswax indicator, which will confirm that sufficient temperatures have been attained for disinfection. This project will empower people to acquire better health through clean drinking water, provide economic opportunities for local beekeepers, and reduce environmental degradation from waste disposal and fuelwood use. A broad population will be able to use the SODIS technology; however, a potentially significant application is to provide clean water and bottles for use with infant formula.