Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Fluoride

Connecticut Water Company - Northern Region-Western System

Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems to prevent cavities and support oral health in people.

In 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation of an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, added to drinking water based on the health benefits of tooth decay prevention. Studies have shown that fluoride added to community water systems at this level reduces dental cavities, especially in children.

And studies have conclusively shown that fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash can also provide these benefits. Read More.

Health Concerns

Although the HHS-recommended level of 0.7 ppm can help promote oral health in children and adults, this level is likely too high for bottle-fed babies. EWG recommends that caregivers mix baby formula with fluoride-free water.

And fluoride in water at higher levels can be detrimental for everyone, especially children.

Long-term ingestion of higher levels of fluoride in water increases dental fluorosis, which includes mottling, pitting and weakening of the teeth in children.

A 2024 authoritative assessment by the National Toxicology Program found that higher levels of fluoride exposure, such as drinking water containing more than 1.5 ppm of fluoride, are associated with lower IQ in children. The conclusion was based on studies in human populations outside of the U.S.

Affecting systems with naturally occurring fluoride, 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 fracture. But these effects may occur at lower levels of exposure, raising concerns that the current limit may not adequately protect public health.

 

23

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.532 ppm54ND - 0.720 ppm
20190.280 ppm220.0500 ppm - 0.510 ppm
20200.443 ppm32ND - 0.720 ppm
20210.255 ppm21ND - 0.510 ppm
20220.245 ppm65ND - 0.450 ppm
20230.304 ppm53ND - 0.560 ppm

ppm = parts per million

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppm

ppm = parts per million

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-01-23BZ78887IOC10.720 ppm
2018-01-31BZ82691IOCRND
2018-03-02BZ97488IOC10.660 ppm
2018-07-12CA891500.710 ppm
2018-07-13CA899030.570 ppm
2019-01-10IOCR 2005184120.0500 ppm
2019-01-15IOC1 2005187790.510 ppm
2020-01-09IOC1 2005623680.610 ppm
2020-01-15IOCR 200563111ND
2020-09-21IOC1 2005910230.720 ppm
2021-02-17IOC1 2006071020.510 ppm
2021-03-05IOCR 200608709ND
2022-01-24CK222940.280 ppm
2022-01-25CK231760.270 ppm
2022-02-01CK274300.450 ppm
2022-02-01CK27434ND
2022-02-16CK693570.1000 ppm
2022-09-08CM256720.370 ppm
2023-01-11CN209570.500 ppm
2023-01-18CN25096ND
2023-08-23CO816720.560 ppm
2023-10-31CP383310.460 ppm
2023-12-13CP67269ND