Drivers of sustainable use of solar water disinfection in Bolivia

The current study investigates 12 former projects promoting Household Water Treatment and Safe storage (HWTS) in Bolivia with the aim to define the sustainable impact on people's level of HWTS use and factors influencing its long-term application. Data were collected from 785 households using structured interviews. According to the results obtained, 43–83% of the population use solar water disinfection (SODIS) and 16–79% use boiling as a water treatment option 1–4 years after project completion. However, since 25–86% of the people still consume untreated water, follow-up campaigns should be conducted in some areas. Based on the individual factors influencing SODIS use, future campaigns in mainly rural areas should team up with government institutions, target people's emotions and intentions to treat water, support habit development, and make use of social norms.