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Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor

A team of University of Zimbabwe researchers have tapped into pottery – a popular traditional craft common among Zimbabwean cultures and many others in Africa to develop a low-cost water filtration system that can easily provide solutions to drinkable water in a simplistic and affordable technique based on an ancient technique.

The use of various pottery designs is deeply embedded in the Shona, Ndebele, Venda, Kalanga, Manyika, Tonga and all other major indigenous speaking communities’ cultural fabric.

Numerous other African communities too, have produced pottery in large quantities throughout history.

Pottery from the Iron Age has been found in Zimbabwe and it is heartening that a team of UZ researchers is now using the techniques handed down from generation to generation to find solutions to the problem of fluoride-contaminated groundwater.

The practice of making pottery for home use and for decoration has been declining owing to mass scale industrialisation and European influence favouring the use of plastic containers and other metal wares.

Pottery is a dying traditional craft. Many of the elderly are dying with the knowledge and wisdom embedded in pottery.

Among the Shona-speaking cultures, pottery used for making brews, serving and storage of liquids include among others – pfuko, chikaha, gate and mbiziro.

But a team of UZ researchers has activated the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 to tap into the cultural fabric of ancient pottery making wisdom to develop a low-cost potable water treatment system that removes excess fluorides.

The team, made up of Engineer Beven Mafoko (lead researcher) and co-researchers Professor Mhosisi Masocha and Dr Samuel Kusangaya, has found an answer to hardships that face numerous people in rural areas where there is a high concentration of fluoride in groundwater.

“Because of the hardships faced by many communities in Zimbabwe due to fluoride-contaminated groundwater, my team and I were motivated to develop a solution. This problem has long plagued areas like Gokwe, Binga, Chimanimani, and others,” said Eng Mafoko at the UZ Research Innovation and Industrialisation Week where he was showcasing his innovations.

He said thousands of people in Zimbabwe depend on borehole water tainted with high levels of fluoride, leading to health issues like skeletal and dental fluorosis, among other complications.

“Existing solutions are relatively costly, time-consuming, or ineffective,” he said.

“Determined to address this challenge, we set out to create a reliable and affordable solution. After months of research and development, our portable household drinking water system efficiently removes fluoride pollutants from groundwater.

“Our progress so far is promising. The system has proven effective in purifying contaminated water, and we are now focused on optimising its performance to produce 30 litres of clean water in just 6 hours – meeting the daily needs of a family of four.”

This innovation focuses on the application of clay for the removal of fluoride ion from underground sources.

Ceramic water filters have been observed to be better when it comes to water filtration that removes germs and sediment from drinking water using natural media.

The UZ researchers have tested various configurations of ceramic filters using a 20-litre plastic bucket with pottery inside to filter water for point – of – use consumption.

The innovations are around the clay making configurations, indigenous filters and modifications that could make the new designs popular options due to their low cost, long lifespan and better filtration capabilities.

Health experts say chronic consumption of excess fluoride above the World Health Organisation limit can lead to dental and in extreme cases skeletal and crippling fluorosis.

They note that there is increased prevalence of fluorosis worldwide with more than 60 million people suffering from it in India, China and Africa.

Serious dental problems have been widely observed in various parts of the country including Gokwe, the population of several provinces of Zimbabwe.

Groundwater is a major source for drinking water supply for rural communities and most towns and cities facing a water crisis.

A 2016 Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development report showed that the Gokwe area north west of Zimbabwe had drinking water containing up to 11mg/litre fluoride and with a fluorosis prevalence rate estimated at 62 percent.

Previous studies have also identified the link between fluoride concentration in drinking water and its impact on dental health in the local communities in areas that included Chimanimani, Buhera, Nyanga, Gwanda, Plumtree, Beitbridge, Tsholotsho, Binga, Lupane, Kariba, Bikita and Zaka.

High levels of fluoride in water or diet is the main cause of fluorosis – which causes browning and weakening of teeth. In extreme cases, excess fluoride may lead to brain and kidney damage, and possibilities of cancer.

“As the lead researcher on this project, I am happy about our team’s dedication to improving the lives of Zimbabweans. Our goal is to make clean drinking water accessible to all, regardless of geographical location or economic status,” Eng Mafoko said.

“With this innovation, we are one step closer to alleviating the suffering of communities affected by fluoride contamination. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to implement this technology nationwide.”

A prototype ceramic water filtration system has been tested successfully and the UZ team is now working to conduct more tests to enhance water filtration rate efficiency before rolling it out for commercialisation through the UZ Innovation Hub.