Potable water for Bongo District soon

Accra, Aug. 21, GNA - The problem of high concentration of fluoride in the drinking water of the people of Bongo District would soon be solved following the development of an effective method of removing the excess fluoride.

The Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), a pro-poor scientific research nongovernmental organisation based in Cape Coast, has designed a water treatment system that would remove the high levels of fluoride ions in boreholes in the Bongo District to acceptable limits.

A release signed by Mr Fredrick Ato Armah, Senior Research Fellow of CEIA, and e-mailed to GNA on Friday, said the treatment system involved the use of local materials available in the area such laterite or clay medium.

"The development of the treatment system consists of two phases: Laboratory investigations and technology transfer to the affected communities. The first, which involved the use of either activated clay or laterite or a combination of the two, is now complete. "The results are conclusive and promising. The percentage removal of fluoride ions from fluoridated water in the study area ranges from 75.3 per cent to 85.6 per cent. The result of physico-chemical and other potable water indicators for de-fluoridated water were found to be within the acceptable range of 1.5ppm set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the release said.

It said CEIA was preparing to pilot test the results in the field and to subsequently evolve a low-cost technology that would be available, accessible and affordable to the affected communities. Availability of potable surface water remains a challenge to the northern parts of the country as result of the long dry season experienced in the area.

The Government and its development partners have provided boreholes but the ground water in Bongo District is contaminated with high levels of fluoride ions due to the nature of the underlying rocks. High fluoride consumption exerts negative effect on the individual including the dissolution of the bones, browning and dissolution of the enamel of the teeth.