De-fluoridation technologies for improving quality of water and agro-animal products along the East African Rift Valley

The FLOWERED project focused on reducing fluoride contamination in water sources along the East African Rift Valley, where high natural fluoride levels affect drinking water, crops, and livestock. Implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, the project combined research and practical action to improve water quality and protect public health. Affordable and locally suitable de-fluoridation technologies were tested and introduced within communities, alongside studies on how fluoride in irrigation water affects soils and food crops. The project also supported better water management by linking climate information with land and water use practices. In Tanzania, the intervention benefited about 45,000 people by helping reduce fluoride exposure and improve the safety of water and agricultural products.

The FLOWERED project was implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania along the East African Rift Valley, where groundwater naturally contains high levels of fluoride. The project sought to improve the safety of drinking water, safeguard crops and livestock, and support climate adaptation by introducing affordable de-fluoridation solutions and strengthening practical knowledge for sustainable water management

• Targeted studies were undertaken to understand the geological and hydrogeological factors driving high fluoride levels in Rift Valley groundwater, providing a sound technical basis for intervention design.
• Affordable, soft-based de-fluoridation technologies were tested and applied at the community level, emphasizing locally available materials and simple operation and maintenance.
• The project assessed the effects of fluoride-contaminated irrigation water on soils and crops, focusing on potential transfer into the human food chain and related food safety risks.
• Soil-moisture and land-use models were adapted for local application to support improved water management and guide climate change adaptation planning