Fluoride
Southern Utilities
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | 0.167 ppm | 21 | 21 | 0.0660 ppm - 0.372 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.209 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.209 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.158 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0865 ppm - 0.248 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.142 ppm | 21 | 21 | 0.0516 ppm - 0.322 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.222 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.222 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.155 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0738 ppm - 0.251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-12 | Q1421120004 | 0.192 ppm |
| 2014-06-30 | Q1424477013 | 0.0905 ppm |
| 2014-06-30 | Q1424477012 | 0.306 ppm |
| 2014-06-30 | Q1424477011 | 0.106 ppm |
| 2014-06-30 | Q1424477010 | 0.0970 ppm |
| 2014-06-30 | Q1424477009 | 0.0865 ppm |
| 2014-08-14 | Q1436466020 | 0.124 ppm |
| 2014-08-14 | Q1436466018 | 0.252 ppm |
| 2014-08-14 | Q1436466016 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2014-08-14 | Q1436466014 | 0.0905 ppm |
| 2014-08-26 | Q1439538032 | 0.372 ppm |
| 2014-08-26 | Q1439538031 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2014-08-26 | Q1439538033 | 0.336 ppm |
| 2014-08-26 | Q1439538034 | 0.283 ppm |
| 2014-10-02 | Q1450544037 | 0.0660 ppm |
| 2014-10-02 | Q1450544008 | 0.0910 ppm |
| 2014-10-02 | Q1450544007 | 0.203 ppm |
| 2014-10-02 | Q1450544006 | 0.0765 ppm |
| 2014-12-03 | Q1458323007 | 0.152 ppm |
| 2014-12-03 | Q1458323006 | 0.146 ppm |
| 2014-12-03 | Q1458323002 | 0.0680 ppm |
| 2015-04-02 | Q1512260045 | 0.209 ppm |
| 2016-04-07 | Q1613819021 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2016-10-06 | Q1642489023 | 0.0965 ppm |
| 2016-10-06 | Q1642489025 | 0.248 ppm |
| 2016-10-06 | Q1642489024 | 0.0865 ppm |
| 2017-01-04 | Q1700369029 | 0.177 ppm |
| 2017-01-04 | Q1700369008 | 0.0880 ppm |
| 2017-01-04 | Q1700369028 | 0.0759 ppm |
| 2017-04-11 | Q1714804020 | 0.140 ppm |
| 2017-04-11 | Q1714804019 | 0.114 ppm |
| 2017-04-11 | Q1714804018 | 0.128 ppm |
| 2017-04-11 | Q1714804017 | 0.161 ppm |
| 2017-06-14 | Q1724888001 | 0.284 ppm |
| 2017-07-10 | Q1727874007 | 0.0686 ppm |
| 2017-08-15 | Q1735757013 | 0.108 ppm |
| 2017-08-15 | Q1735757012 | 0.269 ppm |
| 2017-08-15 | Q1735757014 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2017-08-15 | Q1735757015 | 0.169 ppm |
| 2017-08-15 | Q1735757047 | 0.228 ppm |
| 2017-09-13 | Q1743425049 | 0.0830 ppm |
| 2017-09-13 | Q1743425019 | 0.0516 ppm |
| 2017-09-13 | Q1743425018 | 0.322 ppm |
| 2017-09-13 | Q1743425017 | 0.0763 ppm |
| 2017-09-13 | Q1743425016 | 0.0763 ppm |
| 2017-10-17 | Q1753564005 | 0.0697 ppm |
| 2017-10-17 | Q1753564027 | 0.197 ppm |
| 2018-03-01 | Q1808766024 | 0.222 ppm |
| 2019-03-26 | Q1912175023 | 0.251 ppm |
| 2019-03-26 | Q1912175022 | 0.0864 ppm |
| 2019-08-08 | Q1952585033 | 0.207 ppm |
| 2019-08-08 | Q1952585034 | 0.0738 ppm |