Daily Preparedness

For all of us in developed nations, we take for granted the availability of clean, safe drinking water. Whether we drink water from the tap or purchase bottled water, we rarely consider the consequences of not having safe water on hand. However, in many parts of the world, and following a wide range of disasters, safe drinking water is a luxury. The H2O that so freely flows from our taps can be cut off due to any number of natural or man-made disasters.

Being able to easily and safely decontaminate water is an essential skill for everyone. Though you can use a variety of methods (including boiling, chemical treatment or distillation), one group has developed what may be the simplest method to date.

SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) has been proven to kill the germs which cause human illness. By learning this simple technique, you can be assured that you will be able to purify questionable water in nearly any circumstance. Whether you are camping, dealing with a disaster or traveling in a country with questionable water, this method can literally save your life.

In order to effectively disinfect water, you must begin with fairly clear water. If the water has debris, sand, dirt, etc in it, strain it repeatedly until it is clear. Place water in a clean PET bottle (such as juice or water comes in) that holds 3 liters or less. The bottle must be clear or have only a slight blue tinge to it. You must remove the label from the bottle and be certain that the bottle does not have a large number of scratches or other discolorations on it.

Once filled, tighten the lid securely. Place the bottle lying down in FULL sun for at least 6 hours. It is critical that the bottle be lying down, NOT standing up. If possible, place the bottle on a reflective surface such as a piece of tin or aluminum. Though not necessary, the reflective surface will speed up the disinfection process. If the day is cloudy, lengthen the time to 48 hours. If there is a cool or cold wind blowing, shelter the bottles from the wind.

Water that has been treated by this method should be drunk from the bottle or poured into a clean cup. Contamination often occurs when the water is poured from the bottle into a less-than-clean drinking container.

Storing a few clear plastic PET bottles (which should be marked as such) is a simple, inexpensive way to be prepared to purify that most essential of liquids-water.

For more information about this process and a downloadable flyer, visit:

http://www.sodis.ch/index_EN