Fluoride
Seaford Water Department
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems. Read More.
Fluoride has been promoted as a chemical that reduces dental cavities. Yet it is now well-established that fluoride primarily exerts its protective effects through topical mechanisms, such as sodium fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. In contrast, long-term ingestion of fluoride in water increases dental fluorosis, which includes mottling, pitting and weakening of the teeth. EPA's maximum legal limit is set at 4 parts per million (ppm) to prevent skeletal fluorosis, a condition where bones become brittle and more susceptible to fractures, although these effects may occur at lower doses.
Even fluoride levels of 0.7 ppm, the amount of fluoride in drinking water recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, can result in too much fluoride for bottle-fed babies. EWG recommends that caregivers mix baby formula with fluoride-free water. The National Toxicology Program is investigating the potential for low doses of fluoride to alter thyroid function and childhood brain development.
231
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
0
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1.07 ppm | 41 | 40 | ND - 1.55 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.964 ppm | 38 | 38 | 0.540 ppm - 1.33 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.963 ppm | 38 | 38 | 0.150 ppm - 1.46 ppm |
| 2017 | 1.25 ppm | 37 | 37 | 0.380 ppm - 1.82 ppm |
| 2018 | 1.14 ppm | 38 | 38 | 0.764 ppm - 1.68 ppm |
| 2019 | 1.06 ppm | 39 | 38 | ND - 1.66 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 4 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-07 | S309074 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2014-01-07 | S309086 | 1.26 ppm |
| 2014-01-27 | S309091 | 1.16 ppm |
| 2014-02-03 | S309092 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2014-02-03 | S309093 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2014-03-13 | S309102 | 1.05 ppm |
| 2014-03-13 | S309103 | 0.970 ppm |
| 2014-03-18 | S553844 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2014-03-25 | S309108 | 0.780 ppm |
| 2014-04-07 | S309112 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2014-04-07 | S309113 | 1.55 ppm |
| 2014-04-07 | S309114 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2014-05-01 | S309126 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2014-05-01 | S309127 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2014-05-01 | S309128 | 1.21 ppm |
| 2014-06-05 | S309132 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2014-06-05 | S309133 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2014-06-05 | S309134 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2014-07-01 | S309147 | 1.01 ppm |
| 2014-07-01 | S309148 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2014-07-01 | S309149 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2014-08-05 | S309157 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2014-08-05 | S309158 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2014-08-28 | S285536 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2014-09-09 | S309166 | ND |
| 2014-09-09 | S309167 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2014-09-09 | S309168 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2014-10-06 | S309177 | 1.31 ppm |
| 2014-10-06 | S309178 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2014-10-06 | S309179 | 1.22 ppm |
| 2014-11-18 | S309194 | 1.07 ppm |
| 2014-11-18 | S309196 | 1.11 ppm |
| 2014-11-18 | S309197 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2014-11-24 | S588839 | 1.27 ppm |
| 2014-11-24 | S588840 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2014-11-24 | S588841 | 1.31 ppm |
| 2014-12-02 | S580257 | 1.33 ppm |
| 2014-12-02 | S580258 | 1.22 ppm |
| 2014-12-02 | S580259 | 1.32 ppm |
| 2014-12-22 | S612330 | 0.760 ppm |
| 2014-12-22 | S612332 | 0.780 ppm |
| 2015-01-07 | S580263 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2015-01-07 | S580264 | 0.830 ppm |
| 2015-01-07 | S580265 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2015-02-02 | S309199 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2015-02-02 | S309200 | 1.19 ppm |
| 2015-02-02 | S309201 | 1.19 ppm |
| 2015-03-11 | S309223 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2015-03-11 | S309224 | 0.910 ppm |
| 2015-03-11 | S309225 | 0.880 ppm |
| 2015-03-27 | S624959 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2015-04-14 | S309233 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2015-04-14 | S309236 | 0.860 ppm |
| 2015-04-14 | S309237 | 1.05 ppm |
| 2015-05-19 | S286468 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2015-05-19 | S286469 | 0.720 ppm |
| 2015-05-19 | S286470 | 0.940 ppm |
| 2015-06-01 | S286483 | 0.730 ppm |
| 2015-06-01 | S286484 | 0.910 ppm |
| 2015-06-01 | S286485 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2015-07-06 | S286493 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2015-07-06 | S286495 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | S286513 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | S286514 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2015-08-04 | S286523 | 0.890 ppm |
| 2015-09-09 | S286482 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2015-09-22 | S286530 | 0.830 ppm |
| 2015-09-22 | S286531 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2015-10-01 | S286536 | 1.27 ppm |
| 2015-10-01 | S286537 | 0.540 ppm |
| 2015-10-01 | S286538 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2015-11-16 | S286503 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2015-11-16 | S286505 | 1.13 ppm |
| 2015-11-16 | S286506 | 1.13 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | S286543 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | S286544 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | S286545 | 1.33 ppm |
| 2015-12-16 | S654800 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2015-12-16 | S654801 | 1.04 ppm |
| 2016-01-06 | S286554 | 1.04 ppm |
| 2016-01-07 | S286559 | 1.34 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | S286563 | 0.960 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | S286564 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | S286565 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2016-03-08 | S286573 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2016-03-08 | S286574 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2016-03-08 | S286575 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2016-04-05 | S286588 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2016-04-05 | S286589 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2016-04-05 | S286590 | 0.800 ppm |
| 2016-05-04 | S285809 | 0.790 ppm |
| 2016-05-04 | S285810 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2016-05-04 | S285811 | 0.970 ppm |
| 2016-06-02 | S579836 | 0.990 ppm |
| 2016-06-02 | S579837 | 0.960 ppm |
| 2016-06-02 | S579838 | 0.810 ppm |
| 2016-07-12 | S285796 | 0.960 ppm |
| 2016-07-12 | S285797 | 1.03 ppm |
| 2016-07-12 | S285798 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2016-07-13 | S676610 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2016-07-15 | S676664 | 1.03 ppm |
| 2016-07-15 | S676666 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2016-08-02 | S285781 | 0.790 ppm |
| 2016-08-02 | S285782 | 0.850 ppm |
| 2016-08-02 | S285783 | 0.910 ppm |
| 2016-09-12 | S285749 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2016-09-12 | S285750 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2016-09-12 | S285751 | 0.890 ppm |
| 2016-10-05 | S285733 | 0.150 ppm |
| 2016-10-05 | S285735 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2016-10-10 | S285718 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2016-11-02 | S285743 | 1.06 ppm |
| 2016-11-02 | S285744 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2016-11-14 | S285762 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2016-12-06 | S285723 | 1.16 ppm |
| 2016-12-06 | S285724 | 1.05 ppm |
| 2016-12-08 | S285732 | 1.46 ppm |
| 2017-01-04 | S285703 | 1.58 ppm |
| 2017-01-04 | S285704 | 1.71 ppm |
| 2017-01-11 | S285712 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2017-02-15 | S285688 | 1.34 ppm |
| 2017-02-15 | S285691 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2017-02-15 | S285694 | 1.26 ppm |
| 2017-02-16 | S684686 | 1.82 ppm |
| 2017-02-16 | S684687 | 1.33 ppm |
| 2017-03-13 | S285693 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2017-03-13 | S285695 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2017-03-13 | S285696 | 1.18 ppm |
| 2017-03-28 | S723997 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2017-04-12 | S285617 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2017-04-12 | S285618 | 1.09 ppm |
| 2017-04-12 | S285619 | 0.950 ppm |
| 2017-05-03 | S285763 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2017-05-03 | S285764 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2017-05-03 | S285765 | 1.21 ppm |
| 2017-06-05 | S580148 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2017-06-05 | S580149 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2017-06-05 | S580150 | 1.03 ppm |
| 2017-07-20 | S580166 | 1.25 ppm |
| 2017-07-20 | S580167 | 1.52 ppm |
| 2017-07-20 | S580168 | 1.24 ppm |
| 2017-08-02 | S580169 | 1.39 ppm |
| 2017-08-02 | S580170 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2017-08-02 | S580171 | 1.29 ppm |
| 2017-09-07 | S580179 | 1.36 ppm |
| 2017-09-07 | S580180 | 1.36 ppm |
| 2017-09-07 | S580181 | 1.43 ppm |
| 2017-10-02 | S580193 | 1.31 ppm |
| 2017-10-04 | S580195 | 1.32 ppm |
| 2017-11-01 | S580200 | 1.69 ppm |
| 2017-11-01 | S580201 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2017-11-01 | S580202 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2017-12-07 | S580210 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2017-12-07 | S580211 | 0.380 ppm |
| 2018-01-16 | S580219 | 0.870 ppm |
| 2018-01-16 | S580220 | 1.16 ppm |
| 2018-02-12 | S580228 | 1.13 ppm |
| 2018-02-12 | S580229 | 0.910 ppm |
| 2018-02-22 | S580241 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2018-03-07 | S580242 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2018-03-07 | S580243 | 0.900 ppm |
| 2018-03-15 | S580248 | 0.800 ppm |
| 2018-03-23 | S783990 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2018-04-02 | S580252 | 0.981 ppm |
| 2018-04-02 | S580268 | 1.21 ppm |
| 2018-04-02 | S580269 | 1.18 ppm |
| 2018-05-09 | S580280 | 0.784 ppm |
| 2018-05-09 | S580281 | 1.11 ppm |
| 2018-05-09 | S580282 | 0.963 ppm |
| 2018-06-04 | S580287 | 0.987 ppm |
| 2018-06-04 | S580288 | 1.24 ppm |
| 2018-06-04 | S580289 | 0.764 ppm |
| 2018-07-18 | S580306 | 0.864 ppm |
| 2018-07-18 | S580307 | 0.886 ppm |
| 2018-07-18 | S580308 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2018-08-01 | S580320 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2018-08-01 | S580321 | 0.927 ppm |
| 2018-08-01 | S580322 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2018-09-10 | S580332 | 1.16 ppm |
| 2018-09-10 | S580336 | 1.44 ppm |
| 2018-09-12 | S580337 | 1.43 ppm |
| 2018-10-03 | S580343 | 1.63 ppm |
| 2018-10-03 | S580344 | 1.55 ppm |
| 2018-10-03 | S580345 | 1.68 ppm |
| 2018-11-07 | S580353 | 0.969 ppm |
| 2018-11-07 | S580354 | 0.905 ppm |
| 2018-11-07 | S580355 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2018-12-10 | S580363 | 1.52 ppm |
| 2018-12-10 | S580364 | 1.25 ppm |
| 2018-12-10 | S580365 | 1.44 ppm |
| 2018-12-21 | S855197 | 1.33 ppm |
| 2018-12-21 | S855198 | 1.53 ppm |
| 2019-01-03 | S580373 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2019-01-03 | S580374 | 1.66 ppm |
| 2019-01-03 | S580375 | 1.63 ppm |
| 2019-02-04 | S587771 | 1.39 ppm |
| 2019-02-04 | S587772 | 1.38 ppm |
| 2019-02-04 | S587773 | 1.49 ppm |
| 2019-03-04 | S580383 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2019-03-04 | S580384 | 1.15 ppm |
| 2019-03-04 | S580385 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | S587783 | 0.988 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | S587784 | 0.932 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | S587785 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2019-05-06 | S587798 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2019-05-06 | S587799 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2019-05-06 | S587800 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2019-06-03 | S587804 | 0.865 ppm |
| 2019-06-03 | S587805 | 0.869 ppm |
| 2019-06-25 | S587813 | 0.737 ppm |
| 2019-07-08 | S587814 | 1.04 ppm |
| 2019-07-08 | S587815 | 0.791 ppm |
| 2019-07-08 | S587816 | 1.05 ppm |
| 2019-08-01 | S587828 | 0.746 ppm |
| 2019-08-01 | S587829 | 1.27 ppm |
| 2019-08-01 | S587830 | 0.733 ppm |
| 2019-09-11 | S587838 | 1.43 ppm |
| 2019-09-11 | S587839 | 0.983 ppm |
| 2019-09-11 | S587840 | 1.39 ppm |
| 2019-10-01 | S587848 | 1.49 ppm |
| 2019-10-01 | S587849 | 1.12 ppm |
| 2019-10-01 | S587850 | 1.55 ppm |
| 2019-11-04 | S587858 | 0.643 ppm |
| 2019-11-04 | S587859 | 0.985 ppm |
| 2019-11-20 | S587868 | 1.02 ppm |
| 2019-11-20 | S927378 | 1.01 ppm |
| 2019-11-20 | S927393 | 1.05 ppm |
| 2019-11-20 | S927414 | 0.570 ppm |
| 2019-12-05 | S587873 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2019-12-05 | S587874 | ND |
| 2019-12-19 | S587885 | 0.899 ppm |