Solar Water Treatment
Contaminated
water sources contain
pathogens, like bacterias and viruses, that cause the majority of
disease and
deaths in developing countries. Solar water treatment through prolonged exposure to sunlight is effective in
combating diarrheal diseases, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid by killing or removing up to 99% of viruses, diseases,
and other water-borne pathogens. The World Health Organization reports 1.8 million child fatalities from diarrheal
diseases in 2004, primarily due to contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation.
Small-scale solar water treatment programs are a good option in developing countries because they require few
supplies and are inexpensive to operate. In addition, solar treatment does not add any chemicals, flavors, or
colors to the water and no hazardous by-products are produced.
The focus of this website is solar treatment through ultraviolet disinfection due to the simplicity of the method
and its very low cost.
deaths in developing countries. Solar water treatment through prolonged exposure to sunlight is effective in
combating diarrheal diseases, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid by killing or removing up to 99% of viruses, diseases,
and other water-borne pathogens. The World Health Organization reports 1.8 million child fatalities from diarrheal
diseases in 2004, primarily due to contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation.
Small-scale solar water treatment programs are a good option in developing countries because they require few
supplies and are inexpensive to operate. In addition, solar treatment does not add any chemicals, flavors, or
colors to the water and no hazardous by-products are produced.
The focus of this website is solar treatment through ultraviolet disinfection due to the simplicity of the method
and its very low cost.
Solar
Water Treatment
Methods:
Ultraviolet
Disinfection - we have outlined the method and procedures for
establishing this simple,
easy to use method for water treatment.
easy to use method for water treatment.
Solar Distillation - this
is another popular method to produce
pure drinking water using
only
the power of the sun. This method employs an evaporation chamber that brackish, saline, or
contaminated water is poured or pumped into a sealed chamber with a level, dark-colored
bottom and a sloping glass lid. The heat from the sun evaporates the water which condenses
on the inside of the lid and runs down into a collection trough. This method can produce
1-3 gallons/day in sunny climates and the only cost is the initial materials (~50-300$US).
Some basic plans and descritptions of solar distillation stills are available from these websites:
the power of the sun. This method employs an evaporation chamber that brackish, saline, or
contaminated water is poured or pumped into a sealed chamber with a level, dark-colored
bottom and a sloping glass lid. The heat from the sun evaporates the water which condenses
on the inside of the lid and runs down into a collection trough. This method can produce
1-3 gallons/day in sunny climates and the only cost is the initial materials (~50-300$US).
Some basic plans and descritptions of solar distillation stills are available from these websites:
Solar Water
Still Plans - simple plans and drawings
El Paso Solar Energy Association - solar basin still plans and
story of usage along Mexico/Texas
El Paso Solar Energy Association - solar basin still plans and
story of usage along Mexico/Texas
More
solar water distillation plans - apparently orchids like
very pure water too
Solar Water Plant (pump and still) - it sucks pure water right
out of the earth! (but we're not really sure how much).
very pure water too
Solar Water Plant (pump and still) - it sucks pure water right
out of the earth! (but we're not really sure how much).
More Water Links and Resources:
UNESCO's Water Site - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization's Water site devoted to sustainable development and
conservation of the world's freshwater sources.
Water Scarcity: A Looming Crisis?- a BBC news report on the global
water situation and data on historic increases in water usage.
Engineers Without Boarders Links - page of
great water and sanitation links
Map: The World's Water Hotspots - an interactive map and article
about areas of stunning water change and water conflicts.
World Health Organization's Drinking Water Quality Page - the WHO
is an excellent resource for all water issues, many links
and articles are available here.
National Safety Council's Drinking Water Bulletin - information and articles
on water source assessment and safety and groundwater protection
Red Cross - Red Cresent Water and Sanitation ERU - the
Emergency Response Unit for responding to natural
disasters
UNESCO's Water Site - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization's Water site devoted to sustainable development and
conservation of the world's freshwater sources.
Water Scarcity: A Looming Crisis?- a BBC news report on the global
water situation and data on historic increases in water usage.
Engineers Without Boarders Links - page of
great water and sanitation links
Map: The World's Water Hotspots - an interactive map and article
about areas of stunning water change and water conflicts.
World Health Organization's Drinking Water Quality Page - the WHO
is an excellent resource for all water issues, many links
and articles are available here.
National Safety Council's Drinking Water Bulletin - information and articles
on water source assessment and safety and groundwater protection
Red Cross - Red Cresent Water and Sanitation ERU - the
Emergency Response Unit for responding to natural
disasters
Environment Canada's Freshwater Website - journal articles, books, and links
about a multitude of water-related topics
Clean Water Action Council