ABOUT THE PROJECT
Fluoride concentrations vary around the world. In areas with low fluoride it is added to water to promote dental health. In areas with high fluoride concentration it needs to be reduced to avoid dental defects and skeletal rigidity. Groundwater with high levels of fluoride exist in so called ‘fluoride belts’. Northern Tanzania is part of the fluoride belt so groundwater in this region will have high levels of fluoride. Fluoride removal can be achieved with a range of technologies but membrane filtration, particularly nanofiltration, can reduce the fluoride levels to safe concentrations without the use of chemicals. In 2014, Moerk Water supplied a technical institute in Northern Tanzania with a fluoride removal system based on solar powered membrane filtration. The unit was constructed from quality parts using German engineering principles. Moerk Water’s local service partners Pamoja Zanzibar in combination with Moerk Water engineers trained the daily operators and have helped them keep the unit operational since 2014.
Project Outcomes:
- A technical institute in northern Tanzania had well water high in Fluoride.
- In 2014, Moerk Water supplied the institute with a solar powered membrane filtration system to supply the students with fresh drinking water and water for agricultural use
- The membrane filtration process reduces the fluoride levels in the groundwater to safe levels while still maintaining sufficient minerals to promote health
- Bottled water is no longer required
