Action Taken on Fluoride Mitigation

Three Phased Programme

1. Water sources having fluoride content beyond the permissible limit have been painted "RED" with a direction to the consumers not to use water for drinking and cooking purposes.

2. The APHED has already taken up awareness campaigns in the areas where problems of excess fluoride have been detected to enhance the understanding level of the people whereby they can tackle the problem by themselves.

3. Laboratory facilities for analysis of water samples have been upgraded. Ion meter, a sophisticated instrument which can detect the fluoride precisely have been installed in Nagaon, Diphu, Guwahati, Kaliabor and Hojai.

4. Defluoridation plants in Dengaon and Thiaso Timung PWSSs have been installed. The performance of the plants is under evaluation.

5. The Department has already installed 57 Nos. of RCC Ring Wells in Nagaon district, 31 Nos. in Karbi Anglong district and 6 Nos. in Kamrup district to provide fluoride free water. More Nos. of such Ring Wells  are under the process of installation.

6. Domestic level filter for removal of fluoride has been devised and technology being transferred. Such filters, 100 Nos. in Nagaon district, 105 Nos. in Karbi Anglong district have been constructed through NGOs for social marketing. Process going on to make such filters, 500 Nos. each in Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts and 200 Nos. in Kamrup district.  116 Nos. of domestic defluoridation filter and accessories for 50 units in Karbi Anglong district have been constructed by the department. Training has been imparted on construction of domestic level iron and fluoride removal plants to 22 Nos. master masons in Nagaon district.

7. A Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) comprising of  Three Phased Programme with the assistance of UNICEF has been chalked out for the affected areas of Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts.

8. The following piped water supply schemes are also taken by the APHED for mitigation of fluoride by installation of Fluoride Removal Unit / Alternative Source.