Here's a potentially cheap way to make water safe to drink

If proven to work against other disease-causing waterborne microorganisms, this experimental water-purifying powder could revolutionise water treatment worldwide. — AFP

American scientists have developed a non-toxic powder, which disinfects water effectively when in contact with sunlight.

Composed of nano-sized flakes of aluminium oxide, molybdenum sulphide, copper and iron oxide, it is capable of killing thousands of bacteria per second when exposed to sunlight.