Did You Know?
Unlike many areas of the country, Monroe County has more than enough water to satisfy current and future needs. Our water source, Lake Ontario, and the other Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s fresh water!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) proclaimed fluoridation to be one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the past century and that “…water fluoridation remains the most equitable and cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all members of most communities, regardless of age, educational attainment or income level.” Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop stated, “Fluoridation is the single most important commitment that a community can make to the oral health of its citizens.”
The fluoridation of drinking water is endorsed by:
- American Dental Association
- American Medical Association
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- US Public Health Service
- Canadian Dental Association
- World Health Organization
- New York State Department Of Health
- California Department Of Health Services
- Many, many others
Why fluoridate?
Dental disease is chronic and preventable. Dental caries (cavities) is still the most common preventable chronic disease in the U.S according to the CDC. Fluoridation reduces dental caries and dental disease by stopping or even reversing the tooth decay process. It keeps tooth enamel strong and solid. Tooth decay is caused by certain bacteria in the mouth. When a person eats sugar and other refined carbohydrates, these bacteria produce acid that removes minerals from the surface of the tooth. Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth surfaces and prevents cavities from continuing to form.
Presently, nearly 76% of U.S. residents who receive water from a public water system receive fluoridated water. That includes 45 of the largest 50 cities in the country. Within our service areas the level of fluoride in the water is adjusted to an optimal concentration of 0.7 mg/L. Water samples are collected daily too so that fluoride levels in the water we deliver to you remain within the optimal range.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is an inorganic anion of Fluorine (F) – the 9th element listed on the Periodic Table of Elements. Fluorine is estimated to be the 13th-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Fluoride is naturally present in saltwater, groundwater, and fresh water sources. Concentrations in surface water sources can vary generally between 0.01 to 0.3 mg/L. Groundwater concentrations can vary even more ranging from 0.05 to 8 mg/L or even higher. Naturally occurring fluoride concentrations are a function of the erosion of mineral deposits and the presence of fluoride-containing minerals. Generally, the source waters for our water treatment plants have naturally occurring fluoride levels in the range of 0.15 – 0.2 mg/L.
Is fluoride safe?
Extensive research conducted over the past 50 years has shown time and time again that fluoridation of public water supplies is a safe, effective and economical way to reduce tooth decay for all ages. The fluoride used in drinking water meets NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 product certification as tested by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). NSF independently conducts testing, auditing, and certification of products for public health standards.
Public water supply systems in New York State who add fluoride to increase the concentrations of naturally-occurring levels in source waters are required by regulations to provide concentrations to the optimum level of 0.7 mg/L within a control range. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and state Public Health Law (PHL) establish water quality standards for drinking water known as maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs. In New York state, the MCL for fluoride in drinking water is 2.2 mg/L.
Are regulations changing?
Possibly. We are aware of and continue to follow the developments related to federal District Court Judge Edward Chen’s September 24, 2024 decision against the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding fluoride concentrations in drinking water. We will follow and comply with any and all actions taken by the EPA, in concert with New York State Public Health Law, resulting from the court decision. However, no changes to our treatment processes will occur until such related regulatory determinations, if any, are final.
More Information
New York State Department of Health – Oral Health
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Community Water Fluoridation
American Dental Association – Fluoride in Water
