Access to safe drinking water in 5 communities in rural Peru: An evaluation of Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) as a sustainable option

Solar disinfection (SODIS) is a simple, low cost technology for disinfecting drinking water. Although past studies examine factors associated with SODIS adoption, limited research exists on sustainability in communities over time. Following an earthquake in 2001, SODIS was instituted in 11 rural communities in Peru. Seventy five per cent of the beneficiary population was reported to be using SODIS at the end of this introductory campaign. No efforts were made to encourage SODIS between 2001 and 2008. We revisited 5 of these communities in 2008 and conducted a two-part observational field study consisting of community meetings and questionnaires. The goals of the current project were to delineate the prevalence of current SODIS use and identify motivators and barriers to the sustainability of SODIS. The research design was implemented with local Peruvian Red Cross fieldworkers. At the time of this study, 7 years after the SODIS intervention of 2001, 42% of respondent families reported continued SODIS use. The 69 respondents represent a total of 297 household residents. Motivators for SODIS use included availability of plastic bottles (the only equipment needed) and confidence in the method (a reported reduced incidence of diarrhea). Impediments to SODIS use were also identified, such as the belief that SODIS water causes stomach aches and it is too time intensive to be practical. To our knowledge this is the first research project focusing on the sustainability of SODIS. Results are favorable, indicating SODIS could be an important, practical tool to reduce child mortality associated with diarrheal disease.