Approximately 200 million people, mainly concentrated in rural areas of the Great East African Rift Valley, suffer from fluorosis caused by excess of fluoride naturally contained in water. This study employs the RANAS (Risk, Attitude, Norm, Ability, Self-regulation) model to understand how behavioural factors influence Tanzanian rural communities' willingness to pay for fluoride-free water obtained from a new defluoridator device. Results show that perceived risk, knowledge, attitudes and descriptive norms significantly influence the adoption of the proposed healthy behaviour. Policy implications are discussed taking into account how rural communities could achieve equitable and affordable access to safe water.

The presence of fluoride in drinking water can have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of dental caries when its concentration lies in the optimal range of 0.5-0.7 mg/L. However, fluoride intake below and above this range can have negative effects on tooth enamel and skeletal fluorosis in case of prolonged exposure to high concentrations. Unfortunately, in some areas of the world, such as rural communities of the East-African Rift Valley (EARV), water is dramatically contaminated by fluoride which may cause dental and skeletal fluorosis because its concentration is often well above the maximum threshold of 1.5 mg/L recommended by the World Health Organisation.To tackle this problem experts and policy makers have attempted to introduce defluoridation techniques that, as well as being cost-effective, allow end users to drastically reduce the level of fluoride below the above -mentioned threshold. However, the adoption of these techniques remains quite low because behavioural fac-tors influencing people's safer water consumption in these areas of the world is poorly understood. To fill such a gap in this study we explore how these factors can influence the adoption of a new defluoridator in Kenyan and Tanzanian rural communities of the EARV. To achieve this objective 75 people belonging to Maasai and Meru ethnic groups were interviewed running nine focus groups where these factors were investigated using the RANAS (Risk, Attitude, Norm, Ability, Self-Regulation) model.Results show that the drinking behaviour of people living in the EARV is dramatically affected by contextual factors and exacerbated by the high level of fluoride naturally contained in drinking and cooking water. Behavioural insights into how policy makers and marketers could reverse this unhealthy drinking behaviour introducing technological devices that can cut the quantity of fluoride contained naturally are discussed arguing in favour of the possibility of using different behaviour changing techniques.

Overexposure to fluoride (F) through drinking water is the most widespread water problem in the world, but it has now exacerbated due to rapid population growth rates, adverse climatic changes, and increasing levels of water scarcity. Thus, despite the large amounts of data, which has accrued on mitigation methods of high F is still the primary impediment to drinking water programs among many developing nations. The current review chapter on F mitigation techniques applied world-over is aimed at providing a succinct overview of water defluoridation techniques and strategies being used to combat the impact of human F overexposure. It represents a starting point to understand the prospects of reducing the global F impact. It is anticipated that this work will lay a strong foundation for this and also inform strategies for safeguarding public health and the environment from F pollution.

This research aims to test a Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technique based on Forested Infiltration Areas (FIAs) to reduce the groundwater nitrate contamination of a sandy phreatic aquifer in the Arborea NVZ (Sardinia, Italy). The FIA system in Arborea will be supplied with drainage water having an average NO3 concentration of 70 mg L−1, pumped from a dewatering pumping station. The water will be treated before infiltration through an innovative passive treatment system, consisting of a mixture of inert and organic materials, to attenuate organic and inorganic contamination and to prevent clogging processes at the infiltrating surface. The experiment will be conducted for a duration of two years. Monthly monitoring will define, ante operam, the quality baseline of drainage water and groundwater and will assess, post operam, the efficiency of the FIA system. An estimation of the infiltration rate in the sandy soils based on preliminary surveys showed a potential recharge rate of around 0.7 hm3 year−1 per 0.4 ha of the FIA system.

Both water scarcity and salinity are major obstacles for crop production in arid parts of Tunisia and require adoption of strategies aimed at improving water-use efficiency. Field experiments on deficit irrigation (DI) of table olive, orange trees, and grapevines with saline water (2 dS·m−1) were conducted in the arid region of Médenine, Tunisia. Three irrigation treatments were compared with the farmer’s method (FM) over two years (2013–2014): deficit irrigation (DI75) and (DI50), which received 75% and 50% less water than full irrigation (FI), respectively, and full compensation of the crop evapotranspiration (FI). Measurements included seasonal changes in soil water content, soil salinity, yield, fruit quality, and economic return. Results showed that in-season water limitations, roughly between 700–250 mm, caused significant reductions in yield and fruit weight, but improved the total soluble solids of fruits. Under FI, DI75, DI50, and FM, average yields were 26.6, 20.1, 14.7, and 21.2 t·ha−1 for orange, 4.5, 4.0, 3.1, and 3.5 t·ha−1 for table olive, and 3.8, 3.4, 3.1, and 3.5 t·ha−1 for grapevine, respectively. Soil salinity build up increased linearly with decreasing irrigation water. Irrigation water productivity (IWP), although lowest for FM, was relatively high (3.30–4.30 kg·m−3 for orange, 0.65–1.20 kg·m−3 for table olive, and 0.74–1.30 kg·m−3 for grapevine). Economic evaluation showed that the FI strategy generated the greatest net income (1800–6630 USD·ha−1), followed by DI75 (1350–3940 USD·ha−1), FM (844–4340 USD·ha−1), and DI50 (600–2400 USD·ha−1). The results show an important potential for reasonably sustaining farmer’s income under increased water scarcity.

In this paper, we present results of tectonic and geophysical investigations in the Kenya Rift valley, in the Nakuru area. We compiled a detailed geological map of the area based on published earlier works, well data and satellite imagery. The map was then integrated with original fieldwork and cross sections were constructed. In key areas, we then performed geophysical survey using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Hybrid Source Audio MagnetoTelluric (HSAMT), and single station passive seismic measurements (HVSR). In the study area, a volcano-sedimentary succession of the Neogene-Quaternary age characterized by basalts, trachytes, pyroclastic rocks, and tephra with intercalated lacustrine and fluvial deposits crops out. Faulting linked with rift development is evident and occurs throughout the area crosscutting all rock units. We show a rotation of the extension in this portion of the Kenya rift with the NE–SW extension direction of a Neogene-Middle Pleistocene age, followed by the E–W extension direction of an Upper Pleistocene-Present age. Geophysical investigations allowed to outline main lithostratigraphic units and tectonic features at depth and were also useful to infer main cataclasites and fractured rock bodies, the primary paths for water flow in rocks. These investigations are integrated in a larger EU H2020 Programme aimed to produce a geological and hydrogeological model of the area to develop a sustainable water management system.

Study region: The Lakes Basin is located in the Main Ethiopian Rift. It covers the northern part of the rift valley basin, the Upper Awash River basin, and some sub-basins from the Omo River basin. Due to the presence of high fluoride (F-) content, natural contamination of groundwater has long been recognized as a water-related health issue in the area. Study focus: A multidisciplinary research effort, including geological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical, and geophysical investigations, was adopted to understand the 3D hydrogeological conceptual model and to evaluate F- enrichment in groundwater. New hydrological insights for the region: The 3D hydrogeological conceptual model shows a complex hydrogeological environment and a clear hydraulic interconnection between different aquifers. The geological setting has deeply influenced the geometry of the aquifers, recharge and discharge areas, and F- enrichment in groundwater. Two hydrogeological units, namely sedimentary and volcanic multi-aquifers, were identified. The analyses of groundwater circulation, flow paths, and distribution of F- concentrations in each aquifer were conducted. In groundwater, the concentration of fluoride varies from 0.1 to 68.9 mg L-1; in surface water, it ranges from 0.6 to 244.2 mg L-1. Fluoride concentration of 62 % of the water samples analyzed exceeded the 1.5 mg L-1 WHO threshold for fluoride concentration in drinking water. The proposed methodological approach has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool that could be applied in other similar areas.

The use of renewable resources alternative to fossil fuels, thus contributing to the reduction of CO 2 emissions, requires the assessment of eventual negative impacts on the environment. This study was devoted to the characterization of low-enthalpy geothermal resources and the potential contamination of geothermal effluents into the aquatic system. Thirty-five groundwater samples were collected in the Campidano (southern Sardinia, Italy), an area showing heat flow anomalies and thermal occurrences. Hydrogeological features inferred by literature were implemented by data acquired at each sampling site. Physical–chemical parameters, major, minor and trace components in groundwater were determined, together with the isotopic composition of the water. Six hydrogeological units with variable permeability were identified. According to geological and hydrogeological modeling, four of the six units appeared hydraulically connected, although not everywhere. The predominant groundwater flow was seen from north-east to south-west. The water temperature was in the range 17–42 °C, pH ranged from 6.7 to 8.6, dissolved oxygen varied from < 0.2 to 7.8 mg L −1 and electrical conductivity from 0.8 to 10 mS cm −1 . Predominant cations were Na + and Ca 2+ , predominant anions were either Cl − or HCO 3 − . The more saline waters showed anyhow a marked Na + –Cl − chemical composition. Most waters were found either at near equilibrium with respect to calcite or slightly saturated, but under saturated with respect to gypsum. Isotopic values of δ 2 H and δ 18 O in the water samples indicated a meteoric origin. Particular attention was paid to potential contaminants, which should be evaluated when thermal waters are used in spa treatments and balneology. Concentrations of NO 3 − and NH 4 + above the Italian limits established for drinking water (50 mg L −1 and 0.5 mg L −1 , respectively) occurred in one oxygenated groundwater and five reduced groundwater samples, respectively. Fluoride concentrations exceeding the Italian limit of 1.5 mg L −1 were observed in three groundwater samples. The mean value of As was 3.2 µg L −1 , with one groundwater exceeding the 10 µg L −1 of the legal value. The groundwater with the highest temperature (42 °C), an artesian well, was characterized by relatively high concentrations of Cl − , F − , Li, B, Ge, Rb, Mo, Cs, W, Sc and Ga. Overall results allowed to identify the area most suitable for geothermal exploitation. Deep fluids, probably located at a depth > 1 km, would rise up along faults or fractured zones in the granitic–metamorphic Paleozoic basement. Maximum temperatures of 90 °C in the thermal reservoir were estimated by silica and Na–K–Ca geothermometers. The δ 18 O enrichment shift occurring at high temperature was not observed. Due to high concentrations of some contaminants (e.g. Mo, W, B, F − ), geothermal effluents derived from exploitation should be either re-injected or treated before discharge for avoiding the contamination of aquatic systems.

This study presents a multi-disciplinary approach for the hydrogeological assessment and characterization of water resources in typical arid and semi-arid areas with high anthropogenic pressure, and where environmental conditions and political context prevent extensive field surveys. The use of a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogeological conceptual model, integrating hydrochemical and multi-isotope data, is proposed for the Batna and Biskra area (NE Algeria). Geological data were assembled in 3D geological software, from which a 3D hydrogeological conceptual model was constructed, which included the delineation of groundwater flow directions. The isotopic characterization, including deuterium and oxygen isotopic composition of water (δ2H and δ18O), and tritium (3H), provided information regarding recharge sources, flow pathways and residence times of groundwaters. Hydrochemical parameters, measured on the same samples, supported the interpretation of isotope data. All data were processed in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. The effectiveness of this approach was tested on a complex system of aquifers with high hydrogeological heterogeneity. Results show the important role the tectonic setting of an area can play in the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of its principal groundwater systems. The fault network in the study region connects different aquifers, resulting in the mixing of groundwaters. The region most influenced by geological structures is the southern part of the study area, close to Biskra city. In fact, besides a limited contribution of recharge from rain and surface water derived from flood events, the recharge of the Cenozoic aquifers seems to proceed from the ascension of deeper Cretaceous groundwaters through the fault network, as indicated by temperature, bulk chemistry and in particular δ2H, δ18O and 3H results. In contrast, results suggest that the recharge of the low mineralized Maastrichtian waters is primarily influenced by local precipitation and runoff in the mountainous northern part of the study area. Tritium content, low salinity, and bulk chemistry all suggest such waters to be a mix of pre-bomb (deeper flow-lines within the aquifer) and recent water, with no contribution from the deepest Continental Intercalaire groundwaters. The proposed approach reduces ambiguity about the studied aquifer systems, greatly improves the conceptual understanding of their behaviour, and could provide insights into the vulnerability of the aquifers to different anthropogenic pollution phenomena. The methodology used appears to be a valid tool that could be applied to other geographical areas, to inform the design and implementation of efficient management strategies aimed at improving the quality and availability of water resources. Moreover, three-dimensional modelling methods are becoming increasingly applied to different aspects of groundwater management, to obtain a detailed picture of subsurface conditions.

An experiment on deficit irrigation of orange trees ( Citrus sinensis , L. Osbeck, cv. Meski Maltaise) with saline water (1.5 g l ‐1 ) was conducted in the arid region of Medenine, Tunisia. Four irrigation treatments were applied: full irrigation (FI), irrigated at 100% of the crop evapotranspiration; deficit irrigation (DI75) and (DI50), which received respectively 25 and 50% less water than FI; and the farmer's method (FM). Soil water content and salinity were monitored during the orange active period. Yield and fruit quality were measured at harvest and used to analyse water productivity (WP) and net income. Results show a decrease in soil salinity between the spring and winter seasons with maximum values observed for the DI50 treatment. Maximum yield levels were obtained under the FI treatment (26.6 t ha −1 ). Applying continuous deficit irrigation resulted in 24 and 45% yield reduction respectively for DI75 and DI50, compared to FI. Fruit‐quality parameters showed significant differences, with higher levels of total soluble solids for DI50 and better fruit weight for FI and FM. For total water supplies between 415 and 786 mm, WP was in the range 2.9–3.6 kg m ‐3 , with the highest values observed for the DI50 treatment and the lowest for FM. The soil water balance‐based irrigation method (FI) generated the greatest net income and the lowest soil salinization. Reduction in water supply produced an equivalent reduction in yield but a much stronger decrease in the economic return: using the DI75 strategy resulted in 25% water saving, 24% reduction in yield and 40% reduction in net income. Copyright © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ABSTRACT Natural fluoride contamination of drinking water is a serious issue that affects several countries of the world. Its negative health impact is well documented in the East African Rift Valley, where water consumption with fluoride ( ) concentration greater than 1.5 mg/L can cause fluorosis to people. Within the framework of the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 FLOWERED project, we first designed an effective defluoridation device based on innovative application of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and then explored its acceptance within rural communities. The prototype (FLOWERED Defluoridator Device [FDD]) essentially is composed of a 20‐L tank and a recirculating pump that guarantees the interaction between water and OCP. The device is powered by a car battery for a fixed pumping working time using a fixed amount of OCP for every defluoridation cycle. The results of tests performed in the rural areas of Tanzania show that a standardized use of the prototype can lower the dissolved from an initial concentration of 21 mg/L to below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinkable limit of 1.5 mg/L in 2 h without secondary negative effects on water quality. The approximate cost of this device is around US$220, whereas that of OCP is about $0.03/L of treated water. As with any device, acceptance requires a behavioral change on behalf of rural communities that needed to be investigated. To this end, we piloted a survey to explore how psychological and socioeconomic factors influence the consumption of fluoride‐free water. Results show that the adoption of FDD and OCP is more appealing to members of the rural communities who are willing to pay more and have a high consumption of water. Moreover, we suggest that given the low level of knowledge about fluorosis diseases, the government should introduce educational programs to make rural communities aware of the negative health consequences. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:856–870. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)

Fluoride represents one of the most severe natural contaminant that affects groundwater as well as rivers and soils. More than 200 million people worldwide consume water with fluoride concentration exceeding the WHO guideline of 1.5 mg L-1 (WHO, 2008). Besides dental fluorosis, an excess of fluoride may cause skeletal fluorosis, a bone disease of severe pain. In the East African Rift Valley System (EARS) about 90% of the population exhibit varying degrees of fluorosis symptoms (Yoder et al. 1998) corresponding to over 80 million people (Smedley et al. 2002). FLOWERED (deFLuoridation technologies for imprOving quality of WatEr and agRo-animal products along the East African Rift Valley in the context of aDaptation to climate change, http://www.floweredproject.org) is an H2020 European project whose overall objective is to contribute to the development of a sustainable water management system. The study focus on areas affected by fluoride contamination in water, soils and food in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, with the aim of improving the living standards for local population. Here we present the study of representative rocks and soils samples with the aim to identify what minerals bear F and what is their alterability and capacity in releasing it to the water.

The consumption of water with fluoride concentration higher than 1.5 mg/L (WHO recommended limit) is recognized to cause serious diseases. Fluoride removal from natural contaminated waters is a worldwide priority for more than 200 million people. The octacalcium phosphate (OCP), a mineralogical precursor of bio-apatite, is here tested as a fluoride remover. A new two-step method for the synthesis of OCP is proposed; it consists of 1) synthesis of brushite from calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid and, 2) subsequent hydrolysis of brushite. Fluoride removal experiments were performed in batch-mode using 200 mg of OCP in 50 ml solutions with different initial concentrations of fluoride (from 40 to 140 mg/L). Most of fluoride is removed within the first two hours, whereas the WHO limit of 1.5 mg/L is reached within a minimum of 3 hours for a starting F(-)concentration of 40 mg/L, and in about 12 hours for a starting F(-)concentration of 80 mg/L. One gram of OCP can remove up to 26 mg of fluoride. The pH of the solution after the treatment is within the range of drinking water. XRD characterization of the solid phases, before and after the experiments, indicates that OCP transforms into fluorapatite via F(-)removal from solution.

An innovative methodology that combines an indirect physiography-based method for determining the runoff coefficient at a sub-basin scale and a water balance model applied on a daily time scale was developed to calculate the natural groundwater recharge in three watersheds within the Oum Zessar arid area, Tunisia. The effective infiltration was calculated as part of the water surplus by considering the average available water content (AWC) of soil and an average runoff coefficient for each sub-basin. The model indicates that the sub-basins covered mainly by the ?artificial? soils of tabias and jessour, characterized by average AWC values greater than 150 mm, did not contribute to natural groundwater recharge over the 10-year period (2003?2012) considered. The estimated volume for the Triassic aquifer amounted to about 4.5 hm(3)?year(?1), which is consistent with previous studies. For the Jurassic and Cretaceous aquifers, the estimated volumes amounted to about 200 dm(3)?year(?1).

Intensive farming usually imply a degradation of groundwater resources worldwide. In particular, nitrate concentrations exceeding the 50 mg L-1 limit established for drinking water pose the human health at risk. Therefore, assessing the impact of farming on groundwater, in terms of space and time, is of fundamental importance for policy decision makers and land managers. This study was aimed at assessing the nitrate source and fate in groundwater by combining hydrogeochemical and isotopic tools. The study area is located in the coastal plain of Arborea (Italy), a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) due to intensive farming and animal husbandry (28,000 bovine livestock units). This area represents Mediterranean environments where groundwater resources are of relevant importance. In order to assess the present level of groundwater contamination and evaluate temporal variations, 6 hydrogeochemical surveys were carried out bimonthly at 13 sampling sites located in an area of 6 km2. Additional samples were collected in specific surveys (82 water samples in total). The physical-chemical parameters, nitrogen species concentrations, major and minor components were determined, together with the boron, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur isotopic delta values. Results showed that groundwater samples were of meteoric origin, as indicated by the δ2H and δ18OH2O values. The groundwater showed near-neutral pH (6.8-7.9) and different values of redox potential (0.2 ÷ 0.5 V), dissolved oxygen (2 ÷ 6 mg L-1), electrical conductivity (0.8 ÷ 2.1 mS cm-1) and chemical composition (sodium-chloride ÷ calcium-bicarbonate). Nitrate was not homogeneously distributed in groundwater, being observed a large range of concentrations, from <1 up to 162 mg L-1. The above differences reflected the variability of groundwater circulation at small scale, which in turn controlled the interaction of water with different sediments (sands and/or clays). The shallow wells (about 5 m depth), screened in groundwater interacting mainly with sands, showed marked variations under the monitoring period, with nitrate peaks reflecting high leaching of nitrate in correspondence of fertilization and irrigation periods. The deeper wells (15-37 m depth) showed high to moderate nitrate when screened in sandy aquifer, whereas they had very low nitrate and relatively high ammonium (up to 1.8 mg L-1) when clay layers were intercepted. Trends of δ15N and δ18ONO3 values in the nitrate of shallow groundwater were related to the nitrate concentration observed over the monitored period. This dual isotope systematic showed a likely source of nitrate in groundwater from either manure or sewage. The δ11B signature coupled to δ15N values clearly identified the manure as the predominant source of nitrate in the shallow and deep groundwater at Arborea. Relative enrichments in heavy nitrogen coupled to high concentrations of nitrate in groundwater were mainly attributed to volatilization processes occurring during the storage of animal wastes prior to application on the soil. Mixing of groundwater with seawater was not recognized, whereas mixing between shallow and deep groundwater may have occurred locally. Natural attenuation of nitrate contamination was observed in the deep groundwater interacting with lagoon clays rich in organic matter. Heterotrophic denitrification processes were highlighted by relatively high δ15N, δ18ONO3, δ34S and δ18OSO4 values in association with low SO42-/Cl- and high HCO3-/SO42- molar ratios observed in the groundwater with low concentration of nitrate. Results of this study showed that site-specific investigations are required for designing the best practices aimed at preserving groundwater resources under Mediterranean conditions. The spreading of animal waste on soils affects groundwater systems and likely extends over long time, strongly depending on the time lag of nutrient transport from source areas to receptor wells. Therefore, adequate monitoring of groundwater quality is required in areas of intensive farming.

Aeolian processes in drylands often transcend into sand encroachment, a common form of land degradation. Highly reflective desert features, hence sandy areas, often cause spectral confusion, and mapping through remote sensing techniques can be challenging. This work aims at designing an efficient classification method that minimises spectral confusion of desert features, hence two types of sandy areas. Moreover, we employ land cover (LC) change detection over the last 30 years. The extraction and spatiotemporal variations of LC and sand encroachment areas in the Dahar-Jeffara Medenine site (southeastern Tunisia) are assessed by employing Landsat imagery (1984 and 2014), a 30 m digital elevation model of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTMGL 1 arc second), field data and X-ray diffraction analyses of sand samples. Five new spectral indices were designed and employed in a Decision Tree (DT) classifier for the extraction of 11 LC classes, including two different types of sandy areas. The DT map yielded an overall accuracy of around 89%. Change detection results showed substantial change in several landscape components and an increase of sand units by 29% within the Jeffara-Medenine plain over the last three decades. Geomorphological observations and multi-temporal, spectral and mineral analyses indicate a main, possible in-situ source area of sand.

Agricultural coastal areas are frequently affected by the superimposition of various processes, with a combination of anthropogenic and natural sources, which degrade groundwater quality. In the coastal multi-aquifer system of Arborea (Italy)—a reclaimed morass area identified as a nitrate vulnerable zone, according to Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEC—intensive agricultural and livestock activities contribute to substantial nitrate contamination. For this reason, the area can be considered a bench test for tuning an appropriate methodology aiming to trace the nitrate contamination in different conditions. An approach combining environmental isotopes, water quality and hydrogeological indicators was therefore used to understand the origins and attenuation mechanisms of nitrate pollution and to define the relationship between contaminant and groundwater flow dynamics through the multi-aquifer characterized by sandy (SHU), alluvial (AHU), and volcanic hydrogeological (VHU) units. Various groundwater chemical pathways were consistent with both different nitrogen sources and groundwater dynamics. Isotope composition suggests a mixed source for nitrate (organic and synthetic fertilizer), especially for the AHU and SHU groundwater. Moreover, marked heterotrophic denitrification and sulfate reduction processes were detected; although, for the contamination related to synthetic fertilizer, the attenuation was inefficient at removing NO 3 − to less than the human consumption threshold of 50 mg/L. Various factors contributed to control the distribution of the redox processes, such as the availability of carbon sources (organic fertilizer and the presence of lagoon-deposited aquitards), well depth, and groundwater flow paths. The characterization of these processes supports water-resource management plans, future actions, and regulations, particularly in nitrate vulnerable zones.

This study is part of the EU H2020 research Project FLOWERED (de-FLuoridation technologies for imprOving quality of WatEr and agRo-animal products along the East African Rift Valley in the context of aDaptation to climate change). FLOWERED project aims to develop technologies and methodologies at cross-boundary catchment scales to manage the risks associated with high Fluoride water supply in Africa, focusing on three representative test areas along the African Rift Valley (i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania), characterized by high fluoride contents in waters and soils, water scarcity, overexploitation of groundwater and high vulnerability to risks arising from climate change, as drought and desertification. It also is empowering local communities to take responsibility for the integrated-sustainability of the natural resources, growing national and international environmental priorities, enhancing transboundary cooperation and promoting local ownership based on a scientific and technological approach. Within the FLOWERED project, the transition from the land cover to the land use and water use maps is provided through the development of a mobile application (FLOWERED-GeoDBapp ). It is dedicated to the collection of local geo-information on land use, water uses, irrigation systems, household features, use of drinking water and the other information needful for the specific knowledge of water supply involving local communities through participative approach. This system is structured to be populated, through an action of crowd-generating data by local communities (students and people involved mainly by NGOs). The SHAREGEODBapp is proposed as an innovative tool for water management and agriculture institutions at regional and local level.