Solar Oxidation and Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water (SORAS)

SORAS is a simple water treatment method that uses sunlight and plastic bottles to reduce arsenic levels in drinking water. The process is based on photochemical oxidation of As(III) followed by precipitation or filtration of As(V) adsorbed on Fe(III)oxides. Groundwater polluted by arsenic often contains also iron as Fe(II) or Fe(III) used for the removal of arsenic. In such situations, SORAS reduces arsenic contents to approx. 50 – 80 %. The method is conceived for usage at household level to treat small quantities of drinking water at virtually no cost.

Collaboration
SORAS has been developed in the laboratory at EAWAG and field tested in the WATSAN Partnership Project in Bangladesh.

Contact at EAWAG

Project Duration
The project started in 1998. A technical assessment of the water treatment method by an independent institution is anticipated.

Supported by
The project is financed by EAWAG and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Additional Information
Further information on the project


©EAWAG, last update 28.08.2001, Manuela Frei, back to top