| 02.7.08 |
The
new SODIS newsletter can now be downloaded |
| |
SODIS
newsletter no.1 - July 2008
The
newsletter aims to disseminate information on key
projects, events, and publications related to the
issues of household water treatment and safe storage
(HWTS), and solar water disinfection (SODIS) in particular.
The newsletter is sent to the people that have subscribed
to our mailing list (to subscribe, go here).
This first - and exceptionally long - newsletter will
be followed by shorter updates every few months. Suggestions
and feedback are welcome (info@sodis.ch)!
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| 10.
4. 08 |
Proceeds
of Carla Bruni’s photograph for SODIS |
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Carla
Bruni’s photo by the star photographer Michel
Comte was auctioned in New York on 10 April 2008.
Gert Elfering donates the proceeds of USD 91’000
of this picture to the SODIS Project.
On
10 April 2008 during one of the most important photo
campaigns, Christie’s auctioned 135 photographs
of Gert Elfering’s collection in New York. The
photograph of Carla Bruni by the star photographer
Michel Comte was taken for an anti-aids campaign in
2003. |
| 02-04.4.08 |
Regional
Training workshop in Yaoundé, Cameroon |
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To
start up the second batch of Lions funded projects in
Africa, a training workshop was organized in Yaoundé,
Cameroon. Respresentatives from the SODIS Projects in
Kenya, Cameroun, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, Sierra
Leone, Zambia, Tansania, Mozambique and Switzerland
were present. Participants were enthousiastic to learn
from the on-going projects and had the opportunity to
exchange their experiences. |
 |
| 1.
11. 07 |
Regula
Meierhofer is the new head of the Sodis Reference Center
in Switzerland |
| |
On
31 October 2007, Martin Wegelin has retired from Eawag/
Sandec after 25 years of dedicated commitment to develop
appropriate technologies for water treatment. After
the information on SODIS was published by Prof. Aftim
Accra in the 80ies, Martin was a driving force behind
the continued research on SODIS and the global promotion
and dissemination of the method. Thanks to his engagement
and persistence, the SODIS project was able to gain
signifcant support by various donors and could be
promoted worldwide. Martin will continue to support
the activities of the SODIS Reference Center as a
senior advisor.
Since
1 November 2008, Regula Meierhofer is heading the
SODIS Reference Centre at Eawag. Regula has been involved
in the promotion and research activities of SODIS
at the Eawag since over 7 years. We very much appreciate
that she is taking over this challenging position
and brings in her wide experiences.
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| 16.-19.
7. 07 |
Regional
SODIS Workshop Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
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From
16 to 19 July 2007 participants from 10 SODIS
Projects in Asia met in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
to exchange experiences during the implementation
of SODIS Projects. The following countries were
represented:
Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia. |
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|
| 12.-16.
7. 07 |
SODIS
Training Workshop in Kisoro, Uganda |
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To
start up the first batch of Lions funded projects
in Africa, a training workshop was organized in
the Kisoro Region of Uganda. Respresentatives
from the SODIS Projects in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana,
Cameroun, DR Congo, Malawi and Switzerland were
present. Participants were enthousiastic to learn
from the on-going projects in Kenya and Uganda.
At the end of the workshop, the participants decided
to form the SODIS Africa Network to enhance the
exchange of information and experiences.
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| 12.
5. 07 |
National
Lions Day in Switzerland for SODIS |
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| On
12 May 2007, 8800 Lions - members of 226 Lions
Clubs in Switzerland - were present in the public
all over Switzerland to sell mineral water bottles.
With the sale of the bottles, the Lions collected
more than 2 Million Swiss Francs to support the
promotion of SODIS particularly in Africa and
in Latinamerica. Through this engagement more
than 1 Million people shall get access to safe
drinking water. |
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| 11.
10. 06 |
The
SODIS Foundation wins the PLACA prize 2006 for accelerating
access to safe drinking water in Latin America |
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The
Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America
and the Caribbean (CATHALAC)and Plan International
awarded the Latin America and Caribbean Water
Prize 2006 to the SODIS Foundation for its efforts
to
enable thousands of families in Latin America
to obtain high quality drinking water
. PLACA
Water Prizes are awarded annually to individuals,
communities, organizations, schools or business
for outstanding local, national or regional
water-related achievements. The Prize is supported
by UNESCO and the United Nation’s Environmental
Program. |
|
| 16.
8. 06 |
FC
St.Gallen and AFC Zürich play for SODIS |
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The
Lions Club Toggenburg organized a soccer game for
a good purpose. FC St.Gallen and AFC Zürich played
on 16 August against eachother. The funds collected
through the game will be used for SODIS projects in
Africa.
Documentation
of the event on Swissregio TV
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| 24.
6. 06 |
SODIS
receives the Swiss Red Cross Prize |
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For
the first time in its 140 years old history, the
Swiss Red Cross Federation has awarded a price
for special humanitarian commitment. This price
has been awarded to the SODIS project directed
by Martin Wegelin, Eawag/ Sandec. The ceremony
took place in the house of parliaments in the
capital Berne on June 24, 2006. The SODIS project
receives with this price additional publicity
which is needed for the further promotion of this
simple water disinfection method used at household
level. |
|
| 22.
4. 06 |
SODIS
Documentary on 3Sat, 18.30 Uhr |
| |
Reporter
Charlotte Eichhorn accompanied Martin Wegelin during
his travels and visited SODIS Projects in Ecuador,
Brasil and Sri Lanka. The documentary is shown on
Saturday 22 April, 18.30 on 3Sat.
|
| 24.
11. 04 |
SODIS
wins the Special Award during the Energy Globe Awards
2004 |
| |
| During
the Energy Globe 2004, SODIS received the Special
Award. The
Energy Globe Award is the most significant environmental
award worldwide. Best practice projects and
initiatives for a careful and efficient use
of our resources are awarded each year in the
categories earth, energy, water, air and youth.
This year more than 600 projects from 100 countries
have applied for the Energy Globe Award. Due
to its media presence, the Energy Globe Award
has a special significance for the promotion
of SODIS.
More
information is available under:
http://www.energyglobe.at
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|
| 7
. 6. 04 |
Lions
Clubs support Drinking Water Projects for Developing
Countries |
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| On
Monday Tae-Sup Lee, president of the International
Association of Lions Clubs, a chemical engineer,
and representatives of swiss lions clubs visited
the Swiss Federal Institute of Science and Technology
(ETH) to receive information about SODIS. The
group was received by ETH rector Konrad Osterwalder,
ETH vice president Gerhard Schmitt and Alexander
Zehnder, Director of EAWAG and designed president
of the ETH Council. Martin Wegelin, programme
manager of SODIS, introduced the technology
and thereafter served SODIS treated water from
the lake of Zürich. The SODIS water was
enjoyed by hosts and guests with much delight.
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|
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End
of July the global assembly of members of Lions Clubs
in Detroit decided about a donation of 30'000 US Dollars
to support the implementation of a SODIS project. Together
with a donation collected by the Lions Club Rorschach,
Lions Clubs will therewith contribute half of the cost
of the SODIS projects in Murillo (Bolivia), in Lambayeque
(Peru) as well as in Ambatillo and Manabi (Equador).
The other half of the cost will be covered locally.
Using their worldwide network, Lions Clubs in developing
countries can be ambassadors for the SODIS project.
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| 19.
3. 04 |
EAWAG,
Helvetas and Migros initiate SODIS-Projects in Vietnam,
Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Philippines |
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New
longterm SODIS Projects have been initiated in
Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Philippines.
The projects are being implemented by Helvetas
in collaboration with EAWAG, providing the technical
assisstance and Migros, granting an annual financial
support of 300'000 SFr. for the next 5 years. |
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| 1.
12. 03 |
Launching
of the Michel Comte Water Foundation |
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|
Michel
Comte Water Foundation a non-profit foundation
involved in the financing and promotion of sustainable
water projects worldwide, has supported the SODIS
programme in Latin America in 2004 with 100'000
USD. www.swisswaterfoundation.org |
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| 16.
12. 03 |
Lions
Club Rorschach engages actively for SODIS |
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| The
Lions Club Rorschach, Switzerland actively supports
the worldwide promotion of SODIS through different
awareness activities within the Lions Clubs in
Switzerland. For the Swiss Delegation Meeting
held in Lugano on May 17, 2003, members of Lions
Club Rorschach prepared an exhibition on SODIS
and informed with great enthusiasm the delegates
on the new water disinfection method. Furthermore,
club members presented SODIS during Lions Club
lunches throughout the year. In November 2003,
the Lions Club Rorschach organized a fund raising
campaign in their region asking business people
and entrepreneurs for a donation. |
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Fr.
40’000 were collected through all these activities
and handed over by Mr. Paul Nater to Mr. Martin Wegelin
in a small ceremony on December 16, 2003.In addition,
upon the initiative of the Lions Club Rorschach a nationwide
service project for SODIS is under preparation in Switzerland.
Furthermore, Mr. H.U. Daetwyler, International Director
is submitting a SODIS proposal to Lions Club International.
This is an outstanding example for dedicated work which
has already generated significant results. Lions Clubs
might become a mayor key player in the worldwide SODIS
promotion. |
| 11.
11. 03 |
New
SOLAQUA funded Projects |
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This
year's competition for submitting SODIS project
proposals to the SOLAQUA foundation has met large
interest: 36 Organisations filled in the preliminary
application format. Out of these 36 applications,
11 organisations with interesting applications
had been invited to submit a project proposal
for funding. |
On
11 November the board of the SOLAQUA foundation met
to review these eleven project proposals. Due to the
limited amount of fund available, the number of organisations
selected had to be limited. Selected for funding were
the proposals from the following three countries: Tanzania,
Zambia and Cambodia. The SOLAQUA foundation also decided
to support a second phase of already ongoing projects
in Uzbekistan, India and Kenya. |
| 3.
10. 03 |
IBM
Fundraising |
| |
| In
September IBM Switzerland made tremendous efforts
to collect money for SODIS. The donations from
the employees combined with a contribution from
the Management IBM Switzerland sum up to CHF 65'000
-.The money will be devoted to a SODIS project
in Trujillo, in the North of Peru. The aim is
to improve the local water supply and health situation
of more than 4'000 families living in extreme
poverty. In the slums of Trujillo neither appropriate
sanitation facilities nor adequate water supply
is available. |
|
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Water
is extremely scarce and has to be brought by tankers
to the water reservoirs of the quarters. As it is carried
in buckets into the houses, the risk of its pollution
is very high. With SODIS, people can easily disinfect
water at home, only using the sun and some plastic bottles.
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| 20.
6. 03 |
EMPA
Study on migration of organic components from PET bottles
to water under the conditions of solar water disinfection
(SODIS) |
| |
Responding
to a note published on 10 February 2003 in Source Weekly
on on the migration of organic compounds such as DEHA
from reused plastic bottles made from PET bottles, the
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and
Research (EMPA) studied the migration of organic components
from such bottles to the water under the conditions
of solar water disinfection (SODIS).
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6 bottles were exposed to sunlight at a water
temperature of 60°C. For comparison, 6 bottles
were exposed to sunlight at ambient temperature
(maximum water temperature 34°C) and 3 bottles
were kept in the shade at room temperature (25°C),
respectively. Total time of exposure to sunlight
was 17 hours. In order to elaborate the possible
influence of further parameters, new and used
bottles from different countries (Honduras, Nepal,
and Switzerland) were selected. |
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The
levels of the plasticizers di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate
(DEHA) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) detected
in the water were 0.010 – 0.046 µg/L for
DEHA and 0.10 – 0.71 µg/L for DEHP. These
detected levels are in the range of background levels
detected in pure water stored in glass bottles without
any previous contact with PET. Background levels are
found even in pure water due to the ubiquitous presence
of traces of these plasticizers.
Such
low concentrations of DEHA and DEHP as found in reused
PET-bottles pose a very low carcinogenic risk of 1.6
* 10-9 for DEHA and 2.8 * 10-7 for DEHP. Furthermore,
the found levels are distinctly below the WHO guidelines
for drinking water quality (80 µg/L for DEHA
and 8 µg/L for DEHP).
Report
on Migration of organic components from polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) bottles
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| 16.-12.
10. 02 |
E-mail
conference on SODIS |
| 20.
6. 02 |
SODIS
selected as Best Practice for the Dubai International
Awarad |
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From
among 544 submission for the Dubai International
Award, SODIS was selected as one of the 40 Best
Practices. The Dubai Internation Award for Best
Practices plays a crucial role in the identification
of Best Practices from around the world and maintains
the UN-Habitat
Best Practices database. |
|
| 2001 |
WHO
recommends SODIS during World Water Day 2001 |
| |
On
the World Water Day on 22 March 2001 WHO recommended
the following most need solutions to reduce health
hazards related to drinking water:
-Chlorinating water
-SODIS: Solar Water Disinfection
-Changing Behaviour - Washing Hands
-Measures to eradicate Guinea Worm disease
-Community organisation and mobilisation
More
information about World Water Day 2001 |
| 17.
3. 00 |
1st
Prize for SODIS in the International SIMAVI Contest |
 |
In
1999, the SIMAVI World Waterfund organised an international
competition for fresh ideas on improving the water
supply and/or sanitary conditions. The submitted proposal
should be innovative and especially applicable in
poor rural and/or slum areas in developing countries.
The submitted project had to be widely applicable,
maintenance or renewal had to be as much as possible
self-financed by the beneficiaries, it had to include
training possibilities for local people, etc.
SODIS meets all these criteria. Therefore the SODIS
Promotion Project won the first prize among more than
60 submitted applications! On 17 March 2000, during
the SIMAVI Conference at the World Water Forum in
The Hague, EAWAG/SANDEC was officially awarded the
first prize amounting to US$ 50,000.
Additional information on SIMAVI and the World Water
Forum, is found on:
www.simavi.org
or www.worldwaterforum.org.
|
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