Location: Nalgonda District

Facility Status: This is a reverse osmosis project. The feasibility study and water tests have been completed and the plant is due to open in December 2009.

This village is severely affected by fluoroide-contaminated water.

A large percentage of the villagers are suffering from fluorosis-related symptoms. 

Our Project Manager, Sreenivas Sreeramula, says: "This village is in a hardcore fluoride-affected area. Almost all the villagers are not getting safe drinking water."

Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive consumption of fluoride, which in this area is naturally present in the ground water. In advanced cases, skeletal fluorosis causes pain and damage to bones and joints.

This eight-year old boy has been suffering from fluorosis from birth. His parents both work 12-hour days as agricultural labourers. They lay him on this outside bed during the day, where he is looked after by his six-year old sister (pictured above).

In a Naandi survey, 99% of the village community were not using any form of water purification methods and were using the available water directly. This has a big impact on people's health.

Village Statistics:

Total Population: 8070

Total Households: 1552

Total Above the Poverty Line Households: 9%

Total Below the Poverty Line Households:  91%

Primary Employment: 50% Agriculture (cotton & chillies), 50% Wage Labour (70% agricultural labour/ 30% crushing units)

Background: There is one private overhead tank which provides water for 350 families via a Christian mission. There are two open wells which are not in working condition and of the 350 hand pumps dotted over the village only 50 are in working condition. None of them provide suitable drinking water.

Boys show us their school and one of the few working hand pumps. The water is fluoride-contaminated.

The FRANK Project will deliver water that's been filtered 6 times and will be fluoride free.