Fluoride
Connecticut Water Company - Northern Reg-reservoir Heights
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.944 ppm | 8 | 7 | ND - 1.22 ppm |
2015 | 0.555 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 1.11 ppm |
2016 | 0.490 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.1000 ppm - 0.880 ppm |
2017 | 0.786 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.670 ppm - 0.920 ppm |
2018 | 0.651 ppm | 12 | 12 | 0.530 ppm - 0.700 ppm |
2019 | 0.701 ppm | 12 | 12 | 0.640 ppm - 0.740 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 |
---|---|---|
2017-03-08 | BX82199IOC1 | 0.920 ppm |
2017-04-10 | BY01691IOC1 | 0.670 ppm |
2017-05-02 | BY13650IOC1 | 0.740 ppm |
2017-06-14 | BY40065IOC1 | 0.790 ppm |
2017-07-11 | BY56595IOC1 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-08-14 | BY83952IOC1 | 0.850 ppm |
2017-09-12 | BY99181IOC1 | 0.850 ppm |
2017-10-10 | BZ18754IOC1 | 0.860 ppm |
2017-11-14 | BZ41674IOC1 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-12-11 | BZ54905IOC1 | 0.680 ppm |
2018-01-10 | BZ71225IOC1 | 0.530 ppm |
2018-02-08 | BZ86705IOC1 | 0.600 ppm |
2018-03-20 | CA06187IOC1 | 0.700 ppm |
2018-04-11 | CA18547IOC1 | 0.580 ppm |
2018-05-02 | CA40226IOC1 | 0.690 ppm |
2018-06-12 | CA69433IOC1 | 0.660 ppm |
2018-07-16 | CA91169 | 0.680 ppm |
2018-08-08 | CB07752 | 0.660 ppm |
2018-09-25 | IOC 200506739 | 0.680 ppm |
2018-10-22 | IOC 200509965 | 0.680 ppm |
2018-11-12 | IOC 200512389 | 0.690 ppm |
2018-12-05 | IOC 200515005 | 0.660 ppm |
2019-01-23 | IOC 200519511 | 0.640 ppm |
2019-02-05 | IOC1 200520603 | 0.680 ppm |
2019-03-13 | IOC1 200524661 | 0.730 ppm |
2019-04-10 | IOC1 200527950 | 0.680 ppm |
2019-05-21 | IOC1 200533124 | 0.740 ppm |
2019-06-18 | IOC 200536921 | 0.660 ppm |
2019-07-17 | IOC1 200540984 | 0.670 ppm |
2019-08-14 | IOC1 200544962 | 0.710 ppm |
2019-09-24 | IOC1 200550207 | 0.730 ppm |
2019-10-14 | IOC1 200552679 | 0.710 ppm |
2019-11-19 | IOC1 200557290 | 0.720 ppm |
2019-12-05 | IOC1 200559167 | 0.740 ppm |