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. 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.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2014 | 0.568 ppm | 12 | 9 | ND - 0.940 ppm |
2015 | 0.462 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.830 ppm |
2016 | 0.819 ppm | 7 | 6 | ND - 1.13 ppm |
2017 | 0.363 ppm | 8 | 5 | ND - 0.760 ppm |
2018 | 0.532 ppm | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.720 ppm |
2019 | 0.280 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.510 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-01-24 | BG03077IOC1 | 0.750 ppm |
2014-01-28 | BG04228IOC1 | 0.810 ppm |
2014-01-29 | BG04659IOC1 | 0.940 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 4561IOC1 | 0.200 ppm |
2014-05-07 | 6132IOC1 | ND |
2014-05-21 | BG47680IOC1 | 0.810 ppm |
2014-06-05 | BG53878IOC1 | 0.940 ppm |
2014-06-06 | BG54002IOC1 | 0.870 ppm |
2014-06-17 | BG60666IOC1 | 0.580 ppm |
2014-06-19 | BG62968IOC1 | 0.910 ppm |
2014-11-21 | BH44966IOC1 | ND |
2014-11-21 | 141121-0002IOC1 | ND |
2015-01-20 | BH64902IOC1 | 0.720 ppm |
2015-01-20 | BH64901IOCR | ND |
2015-03-06 | BH80296IOC1 | ND |
2015-03-19 | BH86047IOC1 | 0.760 ppm |
2015-05-26 | BJ21926IOC1 | 0.830 ppm |
2016-01-12 | BK51387IOC1 | 0.880 ppm |
2016-01-15 | BK53768IOC1 | 1.04 ppm |
2016-01-27 | BK58055IOCR | ND |
2016-05-24 | BN39642IOC1 | 1.03 ppm |
2016-05-25 | BN40000IOC1 | 0.830 ppm |
2016-07-01 | BN66356IOC1 | 0.820 ppm |
2016-07-22 | BN79282IOC1 | 1.13 ppm |
2017-02-08 | BX57436IOC1 | 0.760 ppm |
2017-03-08 | BX81787IOCR | ND |
2017-04-06 | BY00572IOC1 | 0.560 ppm |
2017-05-30 | BY30818IOC1 | ND |
2017-06-14 | BY39226IOC1 | 0.540 ppm |
2017-06-23 | BY45937IOC1 | 0.440 ppm |
2017-07-07 | BY54441IOC1 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-09-22 | BZ07174IOC1 | ND |
2018-01-23 | BZ78887IOC1 | 0.720 ppm |
2018-01-31 | BZ82691IOCR | ND |
2018-03-02 | BZ97488IOC1 | 0.660 ppm |
2018-07-12 | CA89150 | 0.710 ppm |
2018-07-13 | CA89903 | 0.570 ppm |
2019-01-10 | IOCR 200518412 | 0.0500 ppm |
2019-01-15 | IOC1 200518779 | 0.510 ppm |