SODIS is a simple method to produce safe drinking water. Contaminated water is filled in a transparent PET-bottle or glass bottle and exposed to the sun radiation for 6 hours. During this time, the UV-radiation of the sun kills diarrhoea-causing pathogens. SODIS (abbreviation of Solar Water Disinfection) is an initiative of Eawag in Dübendorf/Switzerland and is successfully introduced in development countries.

The Lions Club Rorschach began 2004 to promote SODIS to other Lions Clubs and could generate in short time funds of more than CHF 100’000.- and until the end of 2006 an amount of CHF 400’000 was available for investments in SODIS projects in Latin America.
In 2007 the first Swiss National Lions Day was organized with SODIS as the Multiple District Activity. This event resulted in funds for SODIS of about CHF 2 Million.
Until 2013 a total of CHF 2.4 Million has been invested in more than 85 SODIS projects in 18 different countries (map of the countries). More than 400’000 families have been educated in using correctly the SODIS method and produce now their own safe drinking water and can improve their health in the long term. The reduction of diarrhoea saves the life of many small children.
Thanks to the Swiss Lions more than 2 Million people in development countries have a better life by using regularly the SODIS method.
But still 1 Billion people in development countries do not have access to safe drinking water. All 15 seconds a small child is dying due to contaminated water, more than 5’000 children a day!

Lions Clubs can still invest money in SODIS projects. Please contact PDG Moritz Bickel, the SODIS coordinator in MD 102.

Important links:    www.eawag.ch
The SODIS method:    www.sodis.ch