Mererani. Naisinyai villagers in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, can now use fluorine-fee water after the launch of a water project to supply fresh water.

The project was launched by Manyara Regional Commissioner (RC) Elaston Mbwilo, who urged the villagers to ensure the deep well was well maintained to serve them longer.

He said experience had shown that once launched water projects were left to deteriorate, something that should not happen. The well was drilled by the support of TanzaniteOne, a giant firm mining tanzanite gemstones in Mererani.

The media relations officer with the company, Mr Halfan Hayeshi, informed the regional leader that TanzaniteOne spent at least Sh45 million on the project, which would supply about 30,000 litres of water per day.

For his part, Naisinyai village chairman Taiko Kurian said the project would save people from water problems, including decaying of teeth due to drinking water high content of flourine.

This has affected mostly children. Rivers with fluorine originate from the slopes of Mt Meru.  Besides Naisinyai, which is in Simanjiro District, other affected villages are in the neighbouring Arumeru District.Medical experts say water with flourine is a major cause of physical handicaps to people in Arumeru District. These include children born with deformed legs. The impairment is known as flourisis.

The problem is more acute at villages near Maji ya Chai River along the Arusha-Moshi road, where besides people, it has also affected livestock.Kitefu villagers have developed physical handicaps because flourine weakens bones and teeth.

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