FOCUS : WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 

Project: Fluorosis Mitigation through technical interventions and community participation in Karnataka

Funded by: Women's Fellowship Scheme, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India

Duration: August 2005 - August 2007

In Karnataka, Groundwater forms one of the important sources of water for drinking, irrigation and industries. The fluoride content permissible in drinking water as per WHO standards is 1.5 ppm. Excess Fluoride concentration beyond potable permissible limits  is reported in the central, northern and eastern parts of Karnataka. Isolated patches with F concentration more than 4.5 ppm are reported in the districts of Gulbarga, Bellary, Koppal and Parts of Bijapur in Karnataka State. 

The present study proposes to investigate Activated Alumina based household filters as a possible solution for fluorosis mitigation. Studies conducted by UNICEF in rural India have described activated alumina process as the most appropriate technology for defluoridation. 

The project proposes to study impact and acceptability of these filters in rural areas. 

The objectives of the project are: 

• To study impact of awareness creation about the harmful effects of fluoride in drinking water in the fluoride affected region  
• To generate micro-level data about fluoride content in ground water in a predefined fluoride affected region 
• To understand and assess the acceptance of the Activated Alumina technology for fluoride removal in the project area and 
•  To develop and test a methodology for technology dissemination in the project area.

The project site selected for the study is Kabbal village in Kanakpura taluk about 80 km from Bangalore. The project has

• Installed 50 activated alumina filters in households and is monitoring the fluoride content in the filtered water
• Conducted awareness camps and dental health camps in the village
• Studied water sources and water consumption patterns of the village. Data collected shows an average water consumption of 8.5 litres per capita per day for cooking and drinking.
• A training programme on regeneration of activated alumina filters was conducted to train women in  the village in activated alumina regeneration. 

It is observed that the activated alumina filter reached a saturation point after about 5000 litres of water filtered