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