Fluoride
New Britain Water Department
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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.243 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.0400 ppm - 0.620 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.146 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.0300 ppm - 0.600 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.136 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.680 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.126 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.630 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.164 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.820 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.367 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.733 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492150 | 0.0700 ppm |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492148 | 0.0500 ppm |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492149 | 0.0600 ppm |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492147 | 0.0400 ppm |
| 2018-06-20 | IOC1 200497534 | 0.620 ppm |
| 2018-06-20 | IOCR 200497534 | 0.620 ppm |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529606B | 0.0400 ppm |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529609E | 0.0300 ppm |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529607C | 0.0300 ppm |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529608D | 0.0300 ppm |
| 2019-06-12 | IOC1 200535995 | 0.600 ppm |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573267 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573266 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573268 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573265 | ND |
| 2020-06-11 | IOC1 200578892 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613888 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613891 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613889 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613890 | ND |
| 2021-06-16 | IOC1 200621205 | 0.630 ppm |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172305 300172306 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172334 300172335 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172312 300172313 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172319 300172325 | ND |
| 2022-06-28 | E300204043 300204045 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2023-04-17 | E300334310 300334311 | ND |
| 2023-06-13 | E300364610 300364611 | 0.733 ppm |