Wells in Northern Region contains fluoride

Tamale, May 2 GNA - Some 20 wells out 110 boleholes drilled in the Northern Region last year contained 1.5 milligram per litre of fluoride

The health impact of excess fluoride in potable water could cause dental fluorosis or model enamel where concentration is marginally above 1.0 milligram per litre.

It is could also cause skeletal fluorisis both in adult and children where concentration exceeds three milligrams per litre as well as pains in the joints and the backbone.

Mr. Wilbert Y. Dogoli, Northern Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tamale on Friday.

He said fluoride in severe cases could cripple a person. The Director Mentioned Saboba-Chereponi District, which has 11 wells topping the list of beneficiaries.

Other beneficiary communities are Gushegu- Karaga district, five wells, Nanumba district three wells and Zabzugu-Tatale district one well.

Mr. Dogoli said the CWSA was monitoring the wells quarterly whiles also monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of two pilot treatment plant built at Yankanzia and Gakpa.

He said where concentration levels were above a certain threshold the hand pumps were disconnected and the people sensitised about the health dangers of fluoride.

There are on-going discussions with experts from Kenya and India on alternative treatment mechanism.