The government is to purchase more than 20 mobile water purification
systems in an effort to reduce concentration of fluoride in Arusha
Region water.
The chemical compound discolours the teeth, coating enamel brown films. It is also associated with weak bones and bow-legs.
Arusha Regional Commissioner, Felix Ntibenda disclosed the plans
yesterday when speaking at the launch of a trial Mobile Water
Purification System (MWPS)—a de-fluoridation technology developed by
US-based firm—International Water Company (IWC).
The solar and wind—powered system has been installed at the
Ngurdoto De-fluoridation Research Station (NDRS) operated by the Arusha
Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (AUWSA).
The RC who represented the Minister for Water, Prof Jumanne
Maghembe said the MWPS has been proved to be an effective technology to
remove fluoride from drinking water and is less expensive than
conventional filtration processes.
Ntibenda said the new technology will minimize health hazards
caused by excess fluoride in water relieving people from the fluoride
related effects including teeth discoloration (Dental fluorosis),
development of rickets (crippling fluorosis) as well as weakening of
bones or skeletal fluorosis.
The RC cited most affected regions to include Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Manyara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga.
“The technology comes at a prime time when the level of fluoride
has increased in parts of the country due to climate change-related
impacts,” he explained.
He said apart from reducing the amount of fluoride as per World
Health Organisation (WHO), the technology also clears water of any
bacteria.
“This is a very unique technology that allows people to drink water
directly from the taps as it kills all the water-related bacteria,” the
RC said.
He noted affected regions produce water with an average quantity of
20 to 26 milligrammes of fluoride in every litre while the
international standards (World Health Organization) allows only
1.5milligramms of fluoride.
‘The plant can ably produce nearly 100,000 litres a day and can be placed anywhere,” he detailed.
Manufacturers of the MWPS said the system also removes lead, mercury, chromium VI, copper and uranium.
William Utz, an official of IWC, said the system disinfects water
against bacteria, viruses and protozoa including cholera, E.coli,
giardia, legionella, smallpox, typhus and cryptosporium.
Wawi MP, Hamad Rashid who took part in initiating the system said
IWC has shown interest of building a plant Tanzania from which it will
produce water purification systems for the African market.
Maji ya Chai Ward Councilor, Loti Nnko hailed the technology,
saying it will relieve many people of the negative impacts of fluoride.
Of the reported groundwater-quality problems in Tanzania, fluoride
is by far the most severe and widespread and represents a major problem
for water supply nationally.
The problem occurs in both the Rift zones in northern and
south-western Tanzania, associated with volcanic activity, and in the
crystalline basement complex of the central plateau.SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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