Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)¶

Disinfection & Chlorination • Est. CapEx: $2.50 USD • Lifespan: 7–15 Years

Technical Overview¶

A simple, low-cost method that uses sunlight to kill pathogens in water. Suitable for households in developing regions with limited access to clean water.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	Disinfection & Chlorination
Capital Cost (CapEx)	$2.50 USD
Power / Energy	Solar PV / Thermal
Target Scale	Household (5–10 people)
Standard Lifespan	7–15 Years
Technology Maturity	Commercially Available
Primary Mechanism	Clear plastic or glass bottles filled with contaminated water are exposed to full sunlight for at least 6 hours (or 2 days if cloudy). UV-A radiation and increased temperature work synergistically to inactivate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Engineering Trade-Offs¶

✅ Advantages⚠️ Limitations

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

Need to evaluate this technology for your specific field site? Run the WhatWater.info Selector Engine to compare it against 100+ alternative solutions.