A pilot study of solar water disinfection in the wilderness setting.
OBJECTIVE
Solar disinfection of water has been shown to be an effective treatment method in the developing world, but not specifically in a wilderness or survival setting. The current study sought to evaluate the technique using materials typically available in a wilderness or backcountry environment.


METHODS
Untreated surface water from a stream in rural Costa Rica was disinfected using the solar disinfection (SODIS) method, using both standard containers as well as containers and materials more readily available to a wilderness traveler.


RESULTS
Posttreatment samples using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, as well as Nalgene and Platypus water containers, showed similarly decreased levels of Escherichia coli and total coliforms.


CONCLUSIONS
The SODIS technique may be applicable in the wilderness setting using tools commonly available in the backcountry. In this limited trial, specific types of containers common in wilderness settings demonstrated similar performance to the standard containers. With further study, solar disinfection in appropriate conditions may be included as a viable treatment option for wilderness water disinfection.
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Electronic address: ct2122@columbia.edu.
Christopher M
CM
Tedeschi
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY.
Christopher
C
Barsi
New York Presbyterian Residency Program in Emergency Medicine, New York, NY.
Shane E
SE
Peterson
New York University/Bellevue Hospital Emergency Medicine Residency, New York, NY.
Kevin M
KM
Carey
D003364:Costa Rica; D003906:Developing Countries; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology; D013472:Sunlight; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055814:Wilderness
D010969:Plastics; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates
disinfection; survival; water microbiology