Access to drinking water is still inaccessible for much of the world population. The foundation SODIS (Solar Disinfection of Water in plastic bottles) had launched a challenge whose objective was to find a method for providing drinking water to all those who lack it.

Chin Jung Cheng, Charlie Matlack, Penny Huang and Jacqueline Linnes, four students from the University of Washington have taken up the challenge, by presenting a solution to provide potable water to the world very simply.

What they presented is based on the process SODIS, which naturally eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and viruses in water [method of sterilization by solar radiation - the combined action of UV and heat]. The principle is simple, just fill the plastic bottle then let under the sun long enough. The problem was to find an easy way to know when the water became drinkable.

These students have therefore created a small tester, a key ring, which indicates when the water is consumable. This brilliant innovation was rewarded by the Rockefeller Foundation, which paid a price of $40,000 to students.

HL/ HaitiLibre