Fluoride
Leavenworth Water Department
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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.626 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.450 ppm - 0.880 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.454 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.270 ppm - 0.800 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.550 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.340 ppm - 0.720 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.488 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.200 ppm - 0.710 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.460 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.270 ppm - 0.860 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.332 ppm | 10 | 8 | ND - 0.600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-07 | 28158 | 0.450 ppm |
| 2014-01-07 | 28155 | 0.480 ppm |
| 2014-04-01 | 86187 | 0.620 ppm |
| 2014-04-01 | 86184 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2014-04-15 | 96724 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2014-04-15 | 96717 | 0.880 ppm |
| 2014-07-08 | 146056 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2014-07-08 | 146055 | 0.740 ppm |
| 2014-10-21 | 216230 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2014-10-21 | 216229 | 0.670 ppm |
| 2015-01-06 | 257619 | 0.430 ppm |
| 2015-01-06 | 257618 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2015-04-07 | 308622 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2015-04-07 | 308621 | 0.640 ppm |
| 2015-04-21 | 316007 | 0.800 ppm |
| 2015-04-21 | 316006 | 0.280 ppm |
| 2015-07-07 | 362312 | 0.310 ppm |
| 2015-07-07 | 362311 | 0.520 ppm |
| 2015-10-13 | 421074 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2015-10-13 | 421073 | 0.330 ppm |
| 2016-01-12 | 474598 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2016-01-12 | 474593 | 0.340 ppm |
| 2016-04-12 | 525867 | 0.520 ppm |
| 2016-04-12 | 525865 | 0.570 ppm |
| 2016-04-19 | 529554 | 0.580 ppm |
| 2016-04-19 | 529553 | 0.370 ppm |
| 2016-07-05 | 573569 | 0.460 ppm |
| 2016-07-05 | 573567 | 0.700 ppm |
| 2016-10-04 | 634502 | 0.650 ppm |
| 2016-10-04 | 634506 | 0.720 ppm |
| 2017-01-03 | 679594 | 0.520 ppm |
| 2017-01-03 | 679591 | 0.710 ppm |
| 2017-04-04 | 733459 | 0.500 ppm |
| 2017-04-04 | 733457 | 0.670 ppm |
| 2017-05-09 | 753095 | 0.490 ppm |
| 2017-05-09 | 753094 | 0.370 ppm |
| 2017-07-11 | 794478 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2017-07-11 | 794477 | 0.490 ppm |
| 2017-10-02 | 850494 | 0.440 ppm |
| 2017-10-02 | 850493 | 0.490 ppm |
| 2018-01-09 | 904369 | 0.860 ppm |
| 2018-01-09 | 904368 | 0.310 ppm |
| 2018-04-03 | 937981 | 0.350 ppm |
| 2018-04-03 | 937980 | 0.730 ppm |
| 2018-04-10 | 937992 | 0.530 ppm |
| 2018-04-10 | 937991 | 0.410 ppm |
| 2018-07-02 | 996890 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2018-07-02 | 996884 | 0.570 ppm |
| 2018-10-02 | 1052341 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2018-10-02 | 1052339 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2019-01-02 | 1097050 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2019-01-02 | 1097048 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 1138733 | 0.600 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 1138730 | 0.340 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 1138729 | 0.480 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 1138725 | 0.330 ppm |
| 2019-07-09 | 1200126 | ND |
| 2019-07-09 | 1200125 | ND |
| 2019-10-01 | 1250392 | 0.230 ppm |
| 2019-10-01 | 1250394 | 0.560 ppm |