DISINFECTION OF FALAJ WATER USING SOLAR WATER

DISINFECTION (SODIS)
MOZA JUMA SALIM AL JABRI *

SREEDHAR REDDY**

* Final Year student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

University of Nizwa, Oman

** Faculty, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of
Nizwa, Oman

ABSTRACT
Aflaj (sing. falaj) are the main source of irrigation water in Oman beside wells. They
are utilized in agriculture as well as for domestic use since ancient times. Disinfection
of contaminated water using solar radiation is known to inactivate bacteria. Its
inactivation efficiency depends on local conditions where the disinfection is made.
This study was aiming to determine the effectiveness of solar disinfection for the
inactivation of coli form bacteria (Total Coli form) present in the Falaj water.
Effectiveness SODIS is measured by varying experiment sample volume ( 200 mL, 500
mL 1 lit and 2.5 lit), exposure time(1 hr, 2 hr,3hr and 4 hr), bottle color( transparent
and colored) and bottle type(glass, thin PET, thick PET, less plastic PET). The results
show sample volume, exposure time, bottle color and bottle type has significant effect
on percentage removal of total coli form. From the experimental results it is found that
exposure time and volume of sample have significant effect on percentage removal of
coli form present in the Falaj water. As exposure time increased percentage removal
increases and volume of the sample has inverse effect on percentage removal. From
bottle type, glass bottle and less plastic PET bottles are more effective compared to
thick PET and thin PET bottles. Our results indicate that SODIS is an effective
disinfection methodology for Falaj water.
Keywords: Falaj water, SODIS, Disinfection, Coli form