Guwahati: Fluoride contamination of ground water in large parts of India may finally have a solution from the Northeast.
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has found the breakthrough technology that could treat such water. What’s more, it’s ready to be out of the laboratory and to be used commercially.
Speaking to Business North East, Mihir K. Purkait from the Department of Chemical Engineering said of IIT Guwahati said “It is ready to commercialize. Anyone interested may contact me.”
Developed by his research team, the system has the capacity to treat up to 20,000 litres of groundwater per day, removing up to 94 percent iron and 89 percent fluoride, bringing contaminant levels within the allowable limits set by Indian standards.
The technology employs a four-step treatment process involving aeration, electrocoagulation, and flocculation and settling, followed by filtration. The use of aluminium as the electrode material has proven effective in removing not just fluoride and iron, but also arsenic under optimal conditions. The system was verified for 12 weeks under real-world conditions and brought dependable presentation. It is also highly cost-effective, with a treatment cost of just Rs.20 per 1,000 litres.
With minimal supervision requirements, the unit is predicted to purpose professionally for 15 years, with biannual electrode replacement.
A pilot project using this technology has already been installed by Kakati Engineering Private. Ltd. in Changsari, Assam. The research team now aims to explore renewable energy sources like solar and wind to operate the unit and mix smart technologies such as real-time sensors and automated controls for greater capability and scalability.
Fluoride pollution is a growing concern in Assam. Districts such as Goalpara, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Golaghat, Karimganj, Bongaigaon, Sivasagar and Jorhat have reported fluoride levels in groundwater beyond the safe limit of 1.5 mg/L. Within Guwahati city, affected zones include Mathgharia, Bonda-Narengi, Panjabari, Khanapara, Satgaon, Chachal-Sixmile, Gitanagar-Zoo Tinali, and VIP Road-Patharquary.
The pollution is largely credited to natural geological formations rich in fluoride-bearing minerals like granite, basalt, and shale. Over-extraction of groundwater reinforces the leaching of fluoride into aquifers. Health experts warn that lengthy consumption of such water can cause skeletal fluorosis—leading to bone deformities, joint difficulty, and dental issues—particularly in children.
Establishments have advised residents in affected areas to avoid using water from submersible tube wells for drinking and cooking. Installation of fluoride removal units and better groundwater management have also been suggested.
Scientific studies and government data highlight Guwahati’s high scores on the Groundwater Vulnerability Index and Contamination Risk Index, stressing the need for urgent intervention.
Fluoride, though widely used in dental products, fertilizers, and industrial processes, becomes dangerous when present in drinking water above permissible levels. The fruitful development of a scalable, low-cost solution by IIT Guwahati marks a talented step towards justifying this pressing issue.
With commercialisation on the prospect, the technology could offer a decentralised, sustainable solution to fluoride and iron contamination, helping thousands of communities across Assam and beyond.
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