UpWater is developing an innovative point-of-use water treatment device called SODIS X, along with an educational program and sustainable distribution model. SODIS X uses sunlight to quickly disinfect water, and field trials in rural Thailand found it was effective and that over half of participants continued using it. UpWater combines this product with social programs to raise awareness of water quality issues and promote behavior change, and a market-based approach to local production and sales in order to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water.

1. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
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Innovative products Social transformation Sustainable business
UpWater is an Integrated Innovation, combining innovative products with social transformation and sustainable business.

2. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
UpWater
UpWater targets low-income families in rural areas.
The field trial is being carried out in northwestern Thailand, in an area bordering Myanmar.

3. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
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UpWater
Innovative products Social transformation Sustainable business
The product is coupled with an integral
educational program in the target
communities, encouraging active
participation of local promoters,
households, and schools.
This project uses an innovative device for
point-of-use water treatment (SODIS X),
together with supporting devices, such as
containers for safely storing drinking water.
We are using market-based mechanisms,
rather than free giving-away, for long-term
distribution of the products, which are
assembled locally and sold by local agents
at existing community outlets.
safe drinking water as a steppingstone to a sustainably healthy future

4. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X is an innovative device for point-of-use drinking water treatment. It uses the disinfecting powers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation
and heat from sunlight to kill micro-organisms in water. SODIS X’s innovative design quickly heats up water (with the black support) and
maintains heat in the water (with the two-layer enclosure), resulting in very high water temperatures, consequently achieving very
effective water disinfection.
SODIS X Innovative products

5. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
The process consists of five easy-to-remember steps.
Water can be disinfected in 3 hours with sunny skies.
Under cloudy skies, more time is needed for the water to
be disinfected.
Innovative products

6. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X is based on the SODIS method, which has been researched for decades and is now one of the standard methods for point-of-
use water treatment. SODIS is recommended as a method for safe household water treatment by the World Health Organization and
many Ministries of Health worldwide. PET bottles are currently the standard containers for the SODIS method.
Innovative products
McGuigan et al. 2012

7. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X Innovative products
Comprehensive experiments in local conditions have confirmed the effectiveness of SODIS X. Its innovative design heats water to a
higher temperature more quickly than normal PET bottles. The results show that SODIS X consistently disinfects water much more
effectively than PET bottles.
Sukkasi & Terdthaichairat, 2015, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Volume 17, Issue 7, pp 2013-2027
Dry season Rainy season

8. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X is easy to use and safe enough for a child to operate. No special skills, tools, or fuels are required.
Innovative products

9. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X can be assembled locally, with parts that can be obtained locally.
Innovative products

10. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS can be easily integrated into families’ daily routines.
Innovative products

11. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X is light and compact. A shipment of SODIS X has more than 5 times the water capacity of bottles in the same shipping volume.
Innovative products

12. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X is affordable: one set costs less than 1 US dollar.
Innovative products

13. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X does not involve secondary risks, like burning or poisoning, which are common risks in alternative water treatment methods
like boiling or chlorination.
Innovative products

14. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
With a basic design, users can easily replace, or even repair, the components by themselves.
Innovative products

15. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
Of the people given the opportunity to try the product, 57% opted to use the product.
Innovative products

16. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
59% of these early adopters were still using SODIS X after the 6-month trial period.
Innovative products

17. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X Innovative products
The safe storage containers are an integral part of the program, and proved very popular with users. The containers help minimize the
risk of recontamination, promote safe drinking water practices, and can be used for water treated with other methods, e.g. boiling.

18. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
SODIS X requires space for sufficient exposure to sunlight.
Users easily found space for the product, because they traditionally dry their clothing in sunlight.
Innovative products

19. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
Many families were able to use existing tables and racks which they use to dry agricultural products, such as raw rubber, in sunlight.
Innovative products

20. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
Local promoters help people use SODIS X correctly.
Innovative products

21. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
Some early adopters of SODIS X reported that they experienced fewer bouts of stomachache.
Innovative products

22. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
During crises, such as a diarrheal outbreak among the border-crossing population, demand increased quickly and many more people
sought safe-water solutions. SODIS X’s easy-to-assemble-and-distribute design made it able to respond quickly to locals’ needs.
Innovative products

23. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
SODIS X
The design of SODIS X has evolved over multiple iterations. Earlier versions, although less effective, can be used in emergencies,
depending on what types of parts and materials are available locally.
PET bottle (common SODIS) PE bag PE bag on black support Painted PE bag on black support
Painted PE bag on black support
Double-layer PE bags
with black support
Double-layer PE bags
with winged black support Latest version
Innovative products

24. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Social transformation
Raising awareness
Many people do not know the quality of the water they drink daily. Therefore, a customized water test was used as the start of the
campaign to raise awareness. Tests showed that samples from commonly-used water sources in the area (like rivers, springs, wells) are
contaminated with pathogens (disease-causing micro-organisms), indicating a risk for contracting diseases like diarrhea.

25. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Community-oriented training
Household visits and hands-on group trainings are key parts of the safe drinking water and hygiene education in target communities.
Social transformation

26. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Extracurricular activities
Programs in schools were shown to be an effective channel for promoting behavior change. Hands-on training and active learning were
facilitated at schools through local promoters, in close collaboration with the teachers. Specially-designed materials, lessons, and
activities were used. Because children learn quickly, we hope they will motivate their families to adjust their behavior regarding drinking
water and hygiene.
Social transformation

27. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Lead-user participation
In the first phase of the project, active lead users provided feedback for further refining the design of the product.
Later, they also acted as local promoters for the program.
Social transformation

28. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Adaptive communication
Key messages are about water treatment, safe storage of drinking water, and hygiene. The communication tools and materials are
tailored to the local context. Graphical, language-independent materials help effectively convey core messages. Materials are also
designed to allow people to be active storytellers themselves, an approach proven to be effective for dissemination of information.
Social transformation

29. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Market-based
Rather than giving out the products for free as charity, the distribution model is based on market mechanisms.
The products are sold peer-to-peer directly to users.
Sustainable business
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30. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Local agents and values
Local people act as sales and promotional staff. Because they are familiar with the local context, they can make use of existing sales
channels (like the local savings group stores), creating value in their communities.
Sustainable business
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31. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Tailored sales and production
The products can be assembled and sold by the local savings groups.
This enables local value-creation, rather than at a central production site.
Sustainable business
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32. ©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu
Campaign integration
This program can easily be inserted into other campaigns, such as those that focus on health promotion or job creation.
Sustainable business
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33. SODIS X is a low-cost, user-friendly and effective product to treat drinking water. Clean drinking water is one of the most effective ways
to combat diarrhea, which continues to be among to top 3 killers of children under five globally. Help us spread the word, and feel free to
contact the project coordinator, Sittha Sukkasi, at sittha@gmail.com or www.upwater.org
The project is supported by the Stars in Global Health program of Grand Challenges Canada.
©SitthaSukkasi—www.upwater.org—sittha@alum.mit.edu