Harm Reduction: A Quantitative Research on Eliminating Escherichia coli Using SODIS with Varying Elevations

Authors

  • Eldmark James Garcia

Keywords:

eliminating, Escherichia coli, solar disinfection

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Department of Health (2010) stated that water is one of the most important substances on earth. Today, a primary concern of many communities in developing countries involves obtaining clean drinking water (Acre, 2008). Despite several efforts in preventing waterborne diseases, according to Walkerton (2010) dreadful outbreaks still occur like having E. coli on drinking water. Even though there are minor setbacks, Adeboye (2014) stated that Solar Disinfection was one of the methods in eliminating E. coli.

METHODS

This study used a quantitative type of research that employed an experimental design. This also involved manipulation of different elevations of Solar Disinfection (SODIS) such as 0m, 2m and 4m surrounded by an aluminum foil from the ground level. The controlled treatment was 3m without aluminum foil. These treatments were subjected into 6 hours of solar radiation and assessed based on the parameters bacterial population and lag time from the New Nouveau Brunswick (NNB).

RESULTS

In determining the most effective elevation of SODIS in terms of their bacterial population and lag time, T1 which is placed at the ground level or 0 meter, T2, which is placed 2 meters high, Lastly, T3, which is placed 4 meters high, The controlled treatment, which was 3m, have the same results. They were all rated as moderated that yielded a mean score of 2. Based on the 5-point Likert scale, all treatments have the same weighted means. Thus, there is no difference in SODIS with varying elevations when eliminating E. coli bacteria.

DISCUSSIONS

In evaluating the most effective treatment in varying elevations of SODIS in terms of population count and lag time using the One-Way ANOVA test, a P-value of 0.0674130 was obtained which means that there is no significant difference on the varying elevations of SODIS.Therefore, this study found out that there is no leverage in terms of varying elevations of SODIS from the ground level. However, the results found out that it is moderated which indicates that it consistently achieves and often exceeds expected performance level. Thus, this study proved that SODIS (Solar Disinfection) is effective in Eliminating E. coli bacteria.

Published

2019-01-18