FACILE DISINFECTION OF RIVER AND POND WATER USING NATURAL SOLAR RADIATION AT SHOA ROBIT AND NEIGHBORING RURAL KEBELES

In this study, disinfection of water using a simple and green approach using natural Solar Radiation Disinfection (SODIS) techniques has been investigated. The water samples in a colorless polyethylene plastic were irradiated with solar radiation. The reduction of Total Coliform (TC) using solar radiation further investigated by introducing aluminum foils and mirrors as activators for the sterilization of TC. The raw water samples were obtained from local municipal drinking water and ponds in Shoa Robit and the surrounding rural areas. The total coliform reduction potential of SODIS results 99.9 % decontamination at the end of six hours. Moreover, the results were showed that the disinfection process succeeded at the end of six hours using either of activators or not at Shoa Robit and neighboring rural kebeles. However, the relative disinfection efficiency varies with the following order; treatment using mirrors > aluminum foil > treatment without activators.