I am a WASH and urban development specialist living and working in East Africa. I am attempting to scope out “temporary” solutions to sanitation and waste challenges in large unplanned settlements in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi and am looking to receive feedback/critique/advice. I understand these solutions do not sound politically/technologically correct, but with local resource limitations, I seek to identify low-cost, non-motorised and intuitive methods that can be implemented quickly on the ground.
What solutions can be sourced locally, easily and affordably to mitigate the risks of high fluoride levels in tap/well water (e.g. bone char, condensation, boiling)? Mechanised and complex solutions (while noted as more effective) are unrealistic in local contexts due to costs, lack of skills, etc.
Dear Joshua,
There are several ways to remove the fluoride from water. But there is no solution homemade. Here are some effective ways to eliminate fluorides:
Filtration by Reverse Osmosis
The reverse osmosis system is usually unaffordable for personal use.
Defluoridation Filter by active aluminum
These filters are used in areas where fluorosis is strong. They are relatively expensive (the cheapest I've seen is $ 30 per filter) and ask to be replaced frequently, but are an option for filtering water in the house.
Filtration by distillation
These are filters by distillation commercially available that can be used to remove fluorine from water.
Adsorption on activated alumina
Ion exchange on tricalcium phosphate.
Chemical precipitation with lime (in the form CaF2)
With my best regards
Prof. Bachir ACHOUR
Bone char is a well known method that has been developed for removing fluoride from drinking water in Tanzania.
My institute was involved in this research 15 years ago. I think the engineering faculty in University of Dar-Es-Salaam are still working on this technology.
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Dear Joshua
you can found Lot of simple method pls try this
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305495491_Defluoridation_of_Water_by_Various_Technique-_A_Review
Article Defluoridation of Water by Various Technique- A Review
The more affordable in my experience methods are:
The use of bone char (animal charcoal) on granular filters that are regenerated using saturated calcium chloride.
The use of certain zeolites alone or mixtures thereof with naturally occurring minerals containing hydroxyapatite.
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