Providing slow sand filter and solar disinfection technologies for these agencies would not only provide them clean water but would allow them to serve as educational and training centers for the communities they serve. In many tourist areas plastic mineral water bottles have become an environmental problem. Providing clean drinking water through slow sand filtration or through solar disinfection to refill plastic bottles could reduce the number of discarded bottles and provide increased local income. Such a program would require the development of consumer confidence through extensive education and through rigorous quality assurance and testing. An area such as the Annapurna Circuit. which has an established management structure, would be an ideal location to begin such a program.
Solar disinfection can provide a simple, low cost technology for disinfecting drinking water.
Kits of blackened racks or reflectors, a supply of plastic bottles and simple tests for water quality could be included in disaster preparedness materials. Although the instructions for solar disinfection are quite simple, prior training of relief personnel in the techniques of solar disinfection would be strongly indicated.