Community Water Research Articles

Effect of Lithium Mining on Quality of Water using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (A Case Study of Toto Lithium Mine)

The study focused on the evaluation of effect of lithium mining in water in Toto community. Lithium has a substantial negative impact on both human and the environment particularly on the contamination of water and water depletion. Lithium processing requires hazardous chemicals. Therefore, communities, ecosystems and agricultural production may suffer as a result of the release of such chemicals through leaching, spills, or air emissions. Water samples were obtained from Lithium site and taken for Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) analysis. The possible effect of heavy metals present in the water were evaluated and analyzed to offer solutions. Random Sampling method was used to obtain five (5) water samples from the mine site. The study revealed that out of the thirteen (13) elements considered, the concentrations of four of them were varied from a very high concentration to low concentration. The elements are Li, Mg, Fe and Ca with an average of 62.4173 micrograms per litre (µg/L), 29.3130 µg/L, 2.6518 µg/L and 0.9773 µg/L respectively. That of lithium which is 62.4173 µg/L is far above the allowable and acceptable standard limit given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is therefore considered inimical for human consumption.

Solar Disinfection of Drinking Water in Semi-Temperate Rural Community of Jos, Nigeria

A significant number of the world’s population lacks access to safe drinking water, relying mostly on wells and streams, which are usually contaminated with faeces and other pollutants, as sources of drinking water. This results in many diseases that plague these communities, predominantly in rural areas of developing countries where there is abundant solar radiation all year round. SODIS is a popular method of disinfecting water with remarkable success in many rural areas globally. This method was used in Maza community of Jos North Local Government area of Plateau state in the current study. 2-liter PET bottles, differently modified, were filled with water and placed on corrugated roofing sheets for direct exposure to solar radiation. Some of the bottles were modified by painting them white, white with insulation, half black, black with insulation, and plain with insulation. Delagoa test kits applied to contaminated SODIS bottle showed rapid decrease in the concentration of pathogen at about 40 0C. The Black painted Insulated modified bottle presented the highest maximum temperature of 62.0 0C, which occurred around 2 pm, while the least maximum temperature (53.0 0C) was obtained at the same time for the white modified bottle. Though the plain unmodified bottle showed the least temperature the value was higher than the ambient temperature of Maza. Contrasting the maximum SODIS temperature of the black modified bottle to the corresponding maximum value for the ambient temperature indicates a 29 0C (96.7 %) rise in temperature within 6 hours. SODIS modification, therefore, enhances the temperature of water by several degrees, and can, therefore, be deployed as an alternative means for households in Maza community to access safe drinking water.

Determinants of Community Participation in Sustainable Management of Rural Water Supply System: Evidence from District Lahore, Pakistan

Sustainable functionality of rural water supply systems is one of the most imperative aspects to ensure the provision of safe drinking water for communities. In recent decades, a number of projects have been initiated by national and international organizations to meet the desired need for safe drinking water and sanitation, but a large proportion of these development projects fail shortly after their execution. The majority of water supply projects fail in rural communities within three years after development due to the least level of community participation regarding decision-making, site identification, planning, execution, monitoring, evaluation and management process and, above all, unawareness, lack of basic technical and management skills. This study presents the most influencing determinants of community participation that are compulsory for the sustainable functionality of rural water supply systems. This study was conducted in the district of Lahore, Pakistan and simple random sampling methods and techniques were applied to draw the sample from the population. A semi-structured questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The result of the study indicated that a significant association existed among community participation in planning, execution, operation, maintenance & evaluation processes and sustainability functionality of rural water supply systems.

Usage of Fluoridated toothpaste in children and Fluorosis of permanent teeth

Objective: To determine the usage of fluoridated toothpaste in children and the presence of fluorosis in permanent teeth. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: This study was undertaken in Hayatabad Model School Hayatabad Peshawar, from 1st March, 2022 to 31st October, 2022. Methodology: Eighty (N=80) school going children of both genders from 11-16 years age with healthy and vital teeth were included in this study. Children with chronic diseases were excluded from this study. Ingestion of childhood fluoride toothpaste and degree of fluorosis was recorded by using a questionnaire. Fluorosis was graded on basis of clinical examination by Dean Index. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Numerical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation whereas categorical variables were mentioned as numbers and percentages. Results: Mean age of children was 13.15 with 71.25% females (n=57) and 28.75% (n=23) males. 40.6% children (n=65) had dental fluorosis. Majority of children had mild fluorosis 65% (n=52), followed by moderate fluorosis (12.5%, n=10) and severe fluorosis (3.8%, n=3). 36.3% of the children ingested toothpaste in their early childhood (n=29) whereas 63.7% did not ingest tooth paste (n=51). Conclusion: Dental fluorosis is more common in those children who have a history of ingestion of fluoride tooth paste in their childhood. Keywords: Dental Fluorosis, Fluoride, Dental Caries, Dean Index, Childhood, Tooth Paste, Community Water Fluoridation.

Effectiveness of countermeasure options for chemical facilities against the discharge of chemical substances into rivers caused by a large earthquake: case study of the Yodo river system in Osaka prefecture, Japan

Technological accidents triggered by natural hazards, which are commonly referred to as Natech events, are rare occurrences yet carry the potential for significant damage. Specifically, the release of hazardous chemicals into the aquatic environment and community water systems poses a grave threat to human health and society. Accordingly, we must conduct assessments that consider the potential consequences of these accidents. In this study, we examined the criteria for implementing spill protection measures to mitigate river spills of chemical substances using information on the amount of chemical substances and their toxicity. The countermeasure options readily available to employees at industrial plants and chemical storage sites where a chemical spill might originate included emergency shut-off valves, bunds and related spill containment structures, and other spill prevention measures. In this case study, a combination of countermeasure options was evaluated to examine the effectiveness of spill mitigation in the Yodo River located in the Kyoto Prefecture of Japan. Results of the case study showed that bunds were emerged as the most useful countermeasure option, reducing the probability of accidents occurring and impact of accidents. We also defined a methodology for calculating the chemical storage volumes appropriate for different countermeasures to ensure that the concentration of chemicals that could reach the water intake does not exceed the standard values. We believe that these methodologies can help chemical-handling companies make decisions when countermeasure options for responding to a chemical spill into a river. Chemical-handling companies can estimate the risk to downstream water treatment plants in the chemical spill, which can also help them consider mitigation measures.

Cross-sectional study of association between caries and fluoridated water among third-grade students in Pennsylvania

BackgroundCaries is the most common chronic disease among children. In Pennsylvania, a comprehensive oral health Basic Screening Survey and assessment of the association between caries and community water fluoridation (CWF) among children have not been conducted. MethodsFrom 2021 through 2022, the first Basic Screening Survey was conducted among third-grade students in Pennsylvania. Oral health and demographic data were collected. CWF data were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The relative risk of developing caries in association with CWF was assessed using the GENMOD procedure in SAS, Version 9.4 (SAS Institute) in this cross-sectional study. ResultsCaries prevalence was 59.7% among 4,120 screened students. Participation in the free or reduced lunch program and CWF were each significantly associated with risk of developing caries after adjustment for age, sex, and race and ethnicity. The risk of developing caries was 33% higher among students who participated in the free or reduced lunch program than those who did not participate (relative risk, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.42). Students with the highest CWF coverage had a nearly 16% lower risk of developing caries than those without CWF coverage (relative risk, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.94). ConclusionsCWF was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing caries. Efforts are needed to increase CWF coverage, along with promotion of oral health education and healthy dietary habits among Pennsylvania children. Practical ImplicationsIncreasing CWF coverage will reduce caries burden among Pennsylvania children. Although Pennsylvania has no state laws to regulate CWF, these findings are persuasive for local municipalities to consider expanding CWF coverage.

Relationship between Access to Clean Water and Child Growth and Development in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between access to clean water and child growth and development in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Access to clean water significantly impacts child growth and development in Kenya by reducing waterborne diseases like diarrhea, improving hygiene practices, and ensuring adequate hydration. Children with reliable access to clean water experience better nutritional outcomes and enhanced immune function, crucial for their physical growth and cognitive development. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner), health belief model (Rosenstock) & social determinants of health (SDH) theory may be used to anchor future studies on relationship between access to clean water and child growth and development in Kenya. Expand the implementation of effective water purification technologies and community water supply projects in resource-constrained environments. Advocate for integrated policies that prioritize water security alongside nutrition-sensitive interventions. Policies should support multi-sectoral collaboration between health, water, and sanitation sectors to address the complex interplay between water access and child nutrition.

Community water management model in Toluca: a tactical and integrated approach

El presente trabajo propone un modelo de gestión comunitaria de agua que ayude a resolver de forma integrada los problemas prioritarios (económicos, técnico-operativos y sociopolíticos) que padecen los comités de agua potable -de origen antiguo- del municipio de Toluca. Este artículo se realizó con investigación documental y análisis de gabinete fundado en los enfoques teóricos de gobernanza, socio-histórico, bienes comunes, gestión comunitaria, cogestión y gestión integrada de los recursos hídricos; también se consideraron los indicadores clave obtenidos por Anzurez et al. (en prensa) a través de la metodología de planeación estratégica participativa con enfoque integrado, y la evidencia empírica de trabajo de campo y participativo. Resultó un modelo híbrido de gestión comunitaria de agua acorde con las características específicas de Toluca y las necesidades prioritarias de sus comunidades originarias (históricas, culturales, sociales, políticas, administrativas y normativas), acompañado de estrategias de gobernanza colaborativa (asociatividad), opciones para obtener el reconocimiento legal, e instrumentos normativos (manual, reglamento, guía). El modelo sirve a los actores que prestan servicios de agua e instrumentan políticas públicas, para que entiendan el proceder comunitario, funcionamiento, organización social, contexto, visión del agua. Se concluyó que la Asamblea General del Pueblo es el elemento fundamental para garantizar el éxito del modelo, su importancia y valor no se limita a la toma de decisiones en las comunidades, sino a su funcionamiento a través de la participación activa, el compromiso continuo, la confianza, la voluntad de cambio y el consenso comunitario.

PFAS Treatment System Ensures Safe Drinking Water for Rural Community

PFAS Treatment System Ensures Safe Drinking Water for Rural Community

A demand-based three-stage seismic resilience assessment and multi-objective optimization method of community water distribution networks

This paper proposes a three-stage resilience concept that takes into account reliability, vulnerability and recovery resilience of water distribution networks (WDNs) from three phases, namely, pre-disaster preparation (PDP) phase, disaster response (DR) phase and the post-disaster recovery (PDR) phase. Based on the three-stage resilience concept, the initial performance, robustness and multi-objective optimization recovery method are proposed. In PDP phase, based on the reliability concept and the user demand, the initial performance of WDNs is defined, and the method is proposed based on Monte Carlo simulation method combined with seismic fragility of pipelines. In DR phase, a comprehensive quantitative index is proposed to quantify the robustness of WDNs by integrating the structural attributes, topological attributes and operational characteristics of WDNs. Finally, on the basis of the previous two stages, the disaster recovery process of failed pipelines of WDNs is further analyzed, and a multi-objective recovery optimization model of failed pipelines with consideration of users’ demands under the resources constraints is proposed to achieve the resilience enhancement. Through a case, the three-stage resilience assessment optimization enhancement of WDNs is implemented using the improved NSGA-II. The proposed method can be used as a basis for disaster prevention planning and seismic measures.

WATER RESOURCES OF THE KHOROSTKIV TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY: ECOLOGICAL STATUS, WATER USE PROBLEMS, OPTIMISATION MEASURES

The article analyses the ecological state of surface water resources of the Khorostkiv territorial community (ТС). According to the results of laboratory tests, pathogenic microorganisms, bacteriological indicators exceeding the regulatory requirements, faecal contamination and high content of organic matter were detected in the surface water bodies of the Khorostkiv TC. In addition to the pollution of surface water bodies in the Khorostkiv TC, an important environmental problem worth paying attention to is the lack of sanitary protection and water protection zones for rivers and ponds, as well as the littering of the coastal strip. It was found that the water supply network of the Khorostkiv territorial community includes only the water supply network of the town of Khorostkiv (30 km, unsatisfactory condition), since there are no centralised water supply systems in rural settlements. In the sources of centralised water supply in Khorostkiv, the levels of ammonium nitrogen and colour are exceeded. Hydrochemical analysis of water samples from private wells in Khorostkiv and the villages of Peremyliv and Khlopivka confirmed compliance with the requirements of SanR&R № 400. The volume of daily water consumption and water disposal was analysed. The main sources of pollution of the community's water resources and the volume of wastewater discharges were identified. Priority areas for improving the ecological state of water resources of the Khorostkiv community are substantiated. Keywords: surface water, groundwater, pollutants, water supply, water disposal, territorial community (ТС).

Fluoride concentration and pH in bottled waters commercialized in Chile: Implications for oral health

An increased consumption of bottled water is overshadowing the traditional intake of tap water. Community water fluoridation is described an effective public measure for delivering fluoride (F) for dental caries prevention. Although community water fluoridation implementation varies regionally, it is desirable that our daily water contains optimal fluoride levels and a safe pH for dental health protection. Here, we determined F concentration and pH of commercially available bottled waters in Chile. Varieties (mineral, purified, and flavored) were obtained in duplicate from different batches. F and pH were measured using a calibrated F-specific ion electrode and pH meter, respectively. From 76 different brands, 100 % have F concentrations below the recommended range (0.6–1.0 ppm F), mineral water showing significantly higher levels (0.15±0.009; p<0.05) than purified (0.09±0.080), and flavored (0.07±0.063). Most brands exhibited levels below the critical pH for both enamel (71.05 %, n=54) and dentine (80.26 %, n=61). A 46.1 % (n=35) had values below pH 4. Flavored waters had significantly lower pH (3.19±0.12; p<0.05), than purified (6.16±2.81) and mineral (pH 6.21±2.59). The analyzed bottled water, regardless of type, lack sufficient F for caries prevention. Their low pH, particularly in flavored options, might be related to an increased risk of erosive tooth wear. Implementing fluoride and pH labeling is desirable to empower consumers to make informed decisions.

Forest disturbance thresholds on summer low flows in the interior of British Columbia, Canada

Summer low flows are critically important for community water supply and various aquatic functions in the interior of British Columbia (BC), Canada. There is a critical need to determine forest disturbance thresholds on summer low flows, particularly in the context of climate change and increasing forest disturbance. The forest disturbance threshold is defined as the disturbance level above which significant changes in flow variables are detected. In this study, we developed a seasonal hydrological response curve to determine forest disturbance thresholds for significant hydrological impacts on summer low flows in 20 forested watersheds in the BC interior. Based on the proposed method, the results suggest that forest disturbance thresholds varied from 8 to 52 % of CECA (cumulative equivalent clear-cut area) with an average of 18 %, which were not significantly different from thresholds on annual streamflow. Watersheds characterized by more distinct dry summers, lower annual energy availability, higher snow contributions, larger sizes, and greater topographic gradients (represented by greater slope, elevation difference, and downslope distance gradient, and lower water retention index) had lower disturbance thresholds on summer low flows. Both positive (increasing) and negative (decreasing) impacts of forest disturbance on summer low flows were detected. These results can greatly support practical watershed management for sustaining water supply in the local communities. Our methodology can potentially be applied in any individual watershed to assess forest disturbance thresholds on summer low flows where long-term data on forest disturbance, climate, and hydrology are available.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in community drinking water, Nsisioken, Nigeria: Source and health risk assessment.

In 2011, the United Nations Environment Programme discovered high levels of hydrocarbon pollution in drinking water wells in Nsisioken Agbi Ogale Rivers State, Nigeria. However, the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the same community's water supply was unknown. A comprehensive study of PAHs in three household dug wells and three boreholes was conducted using Agilent 7890B gas chromatography and 5975A mass spectrometry. The detected PAHs were mainly 4 - 5 ringed PAHs, such as Chrysene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benzo[a]anthracene, and Benzo[b]fluoranthene. The total mean concentration was 5.8 ± 2.3 μg/L, with values ranging from not detected in borehole 3 to 8.0 μg/L at well 2. Source identification analysis suggested that the PAHs originated from fuel and biomass combustion. The incremental lifetime cancer risk for children and adults due to groundwater ingestion and skin contact ranged from ND to 7.448 × 10-3 and ND to 1.83 × 10-3 respectively. The Risk index (RI) values from ingestion and dermal routes were 1.5 ×10-2 and 2.4 × 10-2, indicating high risk of cancer. The hazard quotient for the two non-carcinogenic PAHs was greater than 1, indicating high toxicity. The PAH concentrations exceeded the maximum contamination limits set by the World Health Organization and the U.S. environmental Protection Agency, highlighting potential health risks associated with water use in the community. Authorities should provide a safe alternative water source for the community.

Household water insecurity experience in the Upper West Region of Ghana: Insights for effective water resource management

The global community is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by 2030. Many low- and middle-income countries like Ghana still struggle with water insecurity. In semi-arid regions like Ghana’s Upper West, climate change has worsened water insecurity, leading to health and livelihood consequences. In UWR, limited studies have explored water insecurity in rural areas. This study fills a knowledge gap by investigating the determinants of water insecurity in Ghana’s Upper West Region (UWR) from a political ecology of health (PEH) perspective. It comprehensively explores the interplay of social, economic, political, environmental, and health-related factors contributing to water insecurity in the UWR. The results from binary logistic regression show that households in the wealthier category (OR = 0.475, p&lt;0.05) and those that spent less than thirty minutes on a roundtrip to fetch water (OR = 0.474, p&lt;0.01) were less likely to experience water insecurity. On the other hand, households that did not use rainwater harvesting methods (OR = 2.117, p&lt;0.01), had to travel over a kilometer to access water (OR = 3.249, p&lt;0.01), had inadequate water storage systems (OR = 2.290, p&lt;0.001), did not treat their water (OR = 2.601, p&lt;0.001), were exposed to water-induced infections (OR = 3.473, p&lt;0.001), did not receive any water, hygiene, and sanitation education (OR = 2.575, p&lt;0.01), and faced water scarcity during the dry season (OR = 2.340, p&lt;0.001) were at a higher risk of experiencing water insecurity. To mitigate the risks of water insecurity and adverse health impacts, policymakers and practitioners must work together to educate households on effective water conservation, storage, and treatment techniques. It is recommended that households harvest rainwater as a coping strategy, construct appropriate storage systems, and treat their water. Communal self-help water investments should be encouraged and supported. Given the significant aquifers and semi-arid landscape of the UWR, investing in groundwater development should be a top priority.

Interdependent water and power infrastructure model (IWPIM): A modeling approach for water and energy resource management in rural communities

The importance of the dependencies between water and power systems is more acutely perceived when challenges emerge. As both energy and water supply are limited, efficient use is a must for any sustainable future, especially in rural areas. Although important, a modeling tool that can analyze water-energy systems interdependencies in rural systems, at the architectural level highlighting the physical interconnections and synergies of these systems, is still lacking. We present a multi-agent system model that captures the features of both systems, at the same levels of fidelity and resolution, with coordinated operations and contingency components represented. Unlike other models, ours captures architectural features of both systems and technical constraints of the systems’ components, which is critical to capture physical intricacies of the interplay between systems components and shed light on the impacts of disruptions of either system on the other. This model, which includes multiple infrastructure components, shows the importance of a holistic understanding of the systems, for cooperation across systems physical boundaries and enhanced benefits at larger scales. This study looks to investigate water-power resource management in an irrigation system via the analysis of physical links and highlight strengths and vulnerabilities. The effects of water shortage, water re-allocation and load shedding are analyzed through scenarios designed to illustrate the utility of such a model. Results highlights the importance of inter-reservoir relationships for alleviating effects of disruption and unforeseen rise in energy demand. Water storage is also critical, helping to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity, and by extension, to keep the energy system unaffected. It can be a viable part of the solution to compensate for the negative impact of shortage for both resources.

Investigation of groundwater and its seasonal variation in a rural region in Natore, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, groundwater is the most widely used source of drinking water for rural communities. However, the groundwater quality is degraded by natural contaminants and anthropogenic pollution. Groundwater is a reliable and sustainable source of safe water for irrigation and domestic purposes, especially during the dry season. The water quality assessment data for the study area was not found in the literature. This study aims to assess groundwater quality and seasonal variation in a rural area of five unions of Bagatipara Upazila, Natore, and its suitability for drinking purposes by measuring the Water Quality Index (WQI). The groundwater of five unions, namely Dayarampur, Bagatipara, Faguardiar, Jamnagar, and Pacca, has been selected for investigation. The electrical conductivity (EC), color, and turbidity exceeded the ECR guidelines. EC showed a positive correlation with total dissolved solids (TDS), total solids (TS), and turbidity. On the other hand, dissolved oxygen (DO), hardness, chloride, carbon-di-oxide (CO2), and iron (Fe) concentrations varied based on the location of the sampling points. The bacteriological parameters TC and E. coli were found in most of the samples, which indicate the potential sources of contaminants such as septic tank leakage and inadequate waste disposal systems. The groundwater quality was found not to be influenced by seasonal variation except by pH, DO, and CO2. The Water Quality Index (WQI) spatial mapping demonstrated that during the post-monsoon period, the water quality of the central part of Bagatipara upazila was in ‘good’ condition, which was in Bagatipara, Fagurdiar, and Pacca unions, whereas during the pre-monsoon season, the ‘good’ condition was found very limited to Fagurdiar union only. The study revealed that the groundwater of Bagtipara Upazila is not suitable for drinking water due to the presence of TC and E. Coli as well as ‘poor’ to ‘unsuitable’ conditions in most of the areas based on WQI.

Volumetric pricing in rural Central America: Drivers of adoption and potential effects on water delivery

In rural and peri‑urban areas of Central America, community water organizations (CWOs) provide water to 60 % of the population, thereby playing a pivotal role in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However, the underlying environmental, climatic, and institutional factors explaining the adoption of volumetric pricing from these water providers and its effect on service delivery are typically overlooked in the literature. In this paper, we address two issues. First, we test whether volumetric pricing affects the service water delivery in a rural setting, drawing on a random sample of cross-sectional data on 154 CWOs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. We find that volumetric pricing is associated with substantially more successful water delivery, even when conditioned on institutional capacity, environmental attributes, climatic conditions, and country-fixed effects. Despite this strong relationship, volumetric pricing has yet to be widely adopted, particularly in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Therefore, as the second goal, we try to identify the institutional and socio-ecological conditions in which volumetric pricing is adopted. We find that volumetric pricing is more likely used when communities (1) experience adverse environmental and climatic conditions associated with water scarcity and (2) have greater institutional capacity. Our results highlight the importance of examining the social-ecological system to assess the performance and adoption of water management institutions

Impacts of Deforestation on Soil Quality and Water Resources in Tropical Forest Areas of Sumatra

Deforestation poses a significant threat to the tropical forest regions of Sumatra, impacting soil quality and water resources crucial for ecosystem health and human well-being. This paper synthesizes the multifaceted impacts of deforestation on soil and water in Sumatra and proposes strategies for sustainable land management. Deforestation leads to a decline in soil organic matter, nutrient levels, and microbial diversity, affecting soil fertility and erosion susceptibility. Additionally, the loss of forest cover disrupts the hydrological cycle, altering water availability, quality, and distribution. Increased surface runoff and sedimentation degrade water bodies, threatening aquatic biodiversity and community water supplies. Integrated analysis highlights the interdependencies between land cover change, soil degradation, and hydrological processes, emphasizing the need for holistic management approaches. Reforestation, agroforestry, and community engagement are proposed as essential strategies for mitigating deforestation impacts and promoting ecosystem resilience in Sumatra.

A quality appraisal of economic evaluations of community water fluoridation: A systematic review.

To critically appraise the methodological conduct and reporting quality of economic evaluations (EE) of community water fluoridation (CWF). A systematic literature search was conducted in general databases and specialist directories of the economic literature. The Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list (CHEC) appraised the methodological quality while the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) assessed the reporting quality of included studies. A total of 1,138 records were identified, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. Cost analysis emerged as the most prevalent type of EE, though a growing trend towards conducting full EEs is observed. CHEC revealed the items most frequently unfulfilled were the study design, measurement and valuation of costs and outcomes, while CHEERS also identified reporting deficiencies in these aspects. Furthermore, the review highlights subtleties in methodological aspects that may not be discerned by CHEC, such as the estimation of the impact of fluoridation and the inclusion of treatment savings within cost estimates. While numerous studies were conducted before publication of these assessment instruments, this review reveals that a noteworthy subset of studies exhibited good methodological conduct and reporting quality. There has been a steady improvement in the methodological and reporting quality over time, with recently published EEs largely adhering to best practice guidelines. The evidence presented will assist policymakers in leveraging the available evidence effectively to inform resource allocation decisions. It may also serve as a resource for researchers to enhance the methodological and reporting standards of future EEs of CWF.