Application of simple emergency measures
January 5th, 2005
In view of the precarious state of drinking
water provision in many areas following the tsunami disaster, Eawag is
concerned to ensure that, rather than relying exclusively on energy-intensive
high-tech materials flown in from abroad and generally managed by third
parties, rapid assistance facilitating self-help should be provided. This
relates in particular to the boiling (wherever possible) and solar disinfection
of water. Having demonstrated the effectiveness of solar water disinfection in the
SODIS project, Eawag has optimized the method and propagated it in cooperation
with local partners on the ground for a number of years. In a simple action plan
known as the «Soap and Bottle Programme», the method is advocated in
combination with elementary rules of hygiene as a way of saving many lives.
Media release [pdf; in German only]
Soap and Bottle Programme [pdf]
«Recommendations of World Health Organisation WHO» [pdf]