Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)

What is SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection?


The Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) process is a simple technology used to improve the microbiological quality of drinking water. SODIS uses solar radiation to destroy pathogenic micro orgranisms which cause water borne diseases.

SODIS uses two components of the sunlight for the water disinfection. The first, UV-A radiation has a germicidal effect. The second component, infrared radiation, raises the water temperature and is known as pasteurization when the water temperature is raised to 70 to 75 degrees Celsius.

What are the materials needed for SODIS?

SODIS only requires a clear plastic bottle (no color) with cap, you may use empty soda bottles (Coke, Pepsi, Royal TRU Orange), and a corrugated iron sheet or corrugated iron sheet roof. Just follow these very simple step:

  • Wash the bottle well the first time you use it.
  • Now fill up the bottle fully and close the lid.
  • Place the bottles on a corrugated iron sheet or put them on the roof.
  • Expose the bottle to the sun from morning until evening for at least six hours.
  • The water is now ready for consumption.

Benefits of SODIS

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) provides an unusually simple, efficient and sustainable drinking water treatment option. Thus, it reduces health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated drinking water.

Types of diseases reduced by SODIS

SODIS affects pathogens present in the drinking water and reduces the occurence of enteric diseases caused by these pathogens:

  • Infectious diarrhea from bacterial infections with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
  • Dysentery watery diarrhea from bacterial infections with Salmonella or Shigella
  • Dysentery from parasitic infection with Giardia lamblia ("Giardiasis") or Entamoeba hystolica ("Amoebiasis")
  • Cholera from bacterial infection with Vibrio cholera