The SODISWATER project, funded with EUR 1.9 million under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme, aims to demonstrate that the solar disinfection of drinking water is an effective method of preventing water-borne diseases in developing countries, both at household level, and as emergency relief. One innovative aspect of the project will be to look at photocatalysis, using nanoparticles as catalysts, to speed up disinfection without major additional costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that users may reject SODIS if it takes too long.

Another project activity involves developing indicators for sunlight exposure of treated water. Factors affecting a community's willingness to adopt SODIS will be studied as well as ways to improve the uptake of SODIS in areas with different socio-cultural backgrounds. There will be an education campaign in developing countries, and SODIS training workshops for aid agencies.

The 3 year research project is being carried out by 9 research centres of which six are based in Europe and three in Africa. Health impact assessment studies will take place in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. In addition the Irish Government will provide EUR 278,000 for an identical study in Cambodia to be carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and CARE.

Related news: Solar disinfection: potential use in emergency situations, Source Weekly, 28 Jan 2005

Web site: RCSI Research : SODIS Water Project

Contact: Dr Kevin McGuigan, SODISWATER Coördinator, Dept. of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI.), kmcguigan@rcsi.ie

Source: CORDIS, 25 Oct 2006 ; RCSI

Tags: water quality