molecules Review Solar Water Disinfection to Produce Safe Drinking Water: A Review of Parameters, Enhancements, and Modelling Approaches to Make SODIS Faster and Safer Ángela García-Gil 1 , Rafael A. García-Muñoz 1 , Kevin G. McGuigan 2 and Javier Marugán 1,* 1 Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology (ESCET), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, Spain;
[email protected] (Á.G.-G.);
[email protected] (R.A.G.-M.) 2 Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, DO2 YN77 Dublin, Ireland;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is one the cheapest and most suitable treatments to pro- duce safe drinking water at the household level in resource-poor settings. This review introduces the main parameters that influence the SODIS process and how new enhancements and modelling ap- proaches can overcome some of the current drawbacks that limit its widespread adoption. Increasing the container volume can decrease the recontamination risk caused by handling several 2 L bottles. Using container materials other than polyethylene terephthalate (PET) significantly increases the efficiency of inactivation of viruses and protozoa. In addition, an overestimation of the solar exposure Citation: García-Gil, Á.; time is usually recommended since the process success is often influenced by many factors beyond García-Muñoz, R.A.; McGuigan, K.G.; the control of the SODIS-user. The development of accurate kinetic models is crucial for ensuring Marugán, J. Solar Water Disinfection the production of safe drinking water. This work attempts to review the relevant knowledge about to Produce Safe Drinking Water: A the impact of the SODIS variables and the techniques used to develop kinetic models described in Review of Parameters, Enhancements, the literature.