Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Fluoride

Waterbury 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.

 

15

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.215 ppm440.0400 ppm - 0.740 ppm
2019N/A00N/A
20200.450 ppm220.1000 ppm - 0.800 ppm
20210.178 ppm41ND - 0.710 ppm
20220.153 ppm41ND - 0.610 ppm
20230.569 ppm110.569 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
2018-10-17RWA200509564IOCR0.0400 ppm
2018-10-17RWA200509566IOCR0.0400 ppm
2018-10-17RWA200509568IOCR0.0400 ppm
2018-10-18RWA200509712IOC10.740 ppm
2020-09-15RWA2005902950.800 ppm
2020-09-15RWA2005902930.1000 ppm
2021-09-14RWA3000594150.710 ppm
2021-09-14RWA300059421ND
2021-09-14RWA300059428ND
2021-09-14RWA300059435ND
2022-09-14RWA3002531840.610 ppm
2022-09-15RWA300253094ND
2022-09-15RWA300253095ND
2022-09-15RWA300253096ND
2023-10-253004364224230.569 ppm