This project will develop and test an indicator, developed in partnership with InnoCentive, to support local health workers promote Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS), a low-cost method to purify drinking water. SODIS has been shown to be an effective and adequate intervention to prevent waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera and dysentery. With the support of the low-cost indicator, the method can be promoted even more effectively.
One third of the people living in the rural area of Bolivia do not have access to improved sources of drinking water. They drink water from rivers, unsanitary wells, irrigation channels or lakes. This water often is highly contaminated and causes a series of health problems like diarrhea or cholera, especially in young children. Poor water quality and the lack of basic sanitation are some of the main reasons why Bolivia has the highest child mortality in South America.
Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) is a simple, low-cost method to purify drinking water. This project will develop an indicator to facilitate the promotion of SODIS. After this pilot project in Bolivia, the tool will be available worldwide.
We will develop a small pilot series of radiation indicators. These are designed to support local health workers in their effort to train people on how to purify drinking water. The feedback from the pilot project will help to further improve the product.
