The detection of infectious viral particles in the excreta of infected people and the elucidation of the tropism of Sars-Cov-2 by other organs, including the digestive tract, raised health concerns, given the hypothesis of contagion via the fecal-oral route. While the debate on this hypothesis remains open and an increasing number of studies support this path of contagion, mainly through the ingestion of contaminated water, there is a growing concern about the health risk of poor communities, especially in developing countries. However, solar water disinfection (SODIS) can be an alternative for remediation of the contagion of Sars-Cov-2 through the water-mediated fecal-oral route. In this work, the eectiveness of SODIS as an alternative for remediation of Sars-Cov-2 contagion through water is critically reviewed. We found that the biological properties of Sars-Cov-2, namely, the stability of the genome, and the ability to remain infectious in environmental water matrices, with the precariousness of sanitation infrastructure and drinking water supply, make the chances of contamination by Sars-Cov-2 through drinking water to be high. SODIS is able to ensure the inactivation of Sars-Cov-2 in water, and can be eectively applied as an emergency and permanent measure to provide safe drinking water to underprivileged communities.

Keywords: Fecal-oral contagion through water; Ultraviolet radiation; Heat; Waterborne viruses.