Research

Apart from research on social issues, PGSS is also involved in research to develop cost effective techniques for improving life of the population it serves. One such technique is SODIS, a cheap method of disinfecting water, developed in collaboration with Kochchi University.

SODIS stands for solar disinfection. Under the technique developed, water meant for drinking is kept for 4-6 hours in plastic bottles in sunlight. Solar energy kills disease causing bacteria in water.

To understand efficacy of the technique three villages Manjharia, Rampur and Bhagwanpur were selected in Chargawan block of Gorakhpur district. Data regarding water borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, jaundice, vomiting and stomach ache were collected over a period of two years, indicating that drinking water in the area was not pure. To double check, water was tested at Development Alternatives, New Delhi, and it was found that 60 per cent samples from hand pumps were impure.

The villagers were then distributed plastic bottles and told to purify their drinking water following the method outlined above. Since there is less sunshine during rains and winters, steel plates were also given along with bottles.

After a gap, further data were collected regarding the water borne diseases. It was revealed that prevalence rate had gone down considerably.