Water Fluoridation

Drinking a glass of tap water is about to get even healthier. Beginning this fall (2007), the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will start to add fluoride to its treated water supply. This means you will be able to help prevent cavities simply by regularly drinking a glass of tap water.

According to extensive research conducted over the past 50 years, water fluoridation is safe and healthy. Water fluoridation is the single, most cost-effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.

The Metropolitan Fluoridation Implementation Plan has received the approval of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health. It has the unanimous support of the California Dental Association. Ever since 1945, the Surgeon General's office has consistently endorsed water fluoridation.

Fluoride benefits people of all ages.

Drinking fluoridated water, as part of your diet, will provide about 60 percent of the protection necessary to fight against cavities. Fluoride works to strengthen tooth enamel so teeth become more resistant to decay, and it reverses newly formed cavities. This is a particular advantage for children. Fluoride also prevents cavities in the root surfaces of teeth for older adults when their gums start to recede.

Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter. Although there has always been a certain amount of fluoride naturally present in all of Metropolitan's water sources, the levels are not sufficient to protect against tooth decay. Metropolitan will adjust the fluoride level in its water supplies to the recommended optimum range of 0.7 - 0.8 mg/L (parts per million). At this range, fluoridation has proven to be safe and effective in preventing tooth decay. You will not notice a change in the taste, smell or appearance of your water - nor in the size of your water bill because this program will be managed within the current water rates.

Plan for system wide coverage

Metropolitan's fluoridation plan includes supplying its treated drinking water with an "optimal" level of fluoride. Metropolitan's program to fluoridate its source water includes the most advanced feed control system in the country, with 24-hour monitoring to ensure consistent levels of fluoride.

Water fluoridation is not a new concept. Cities across the nation have been adding fluoride to their water supplies for decades. In addition, many cities in California have recently joined the long list of communities benefiting from water fluoridation. Metropolitan now joins more than 14,000 communities across the nation that have fluoridated water supplies.

Additional Information

For more information on fluoride in Metropolitan's drinking water, contact Central Basin at (323) 201-5500 or the Metropolitan Water Quality Information Hotline (800) 354-4420, or visit the Metropolitan Web site at www.mwdh2o.com/fluoridation/index.html. For additional fluoride information contact or visit the American Dental Association Web site at www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/news.asp

• Frequently Asked Questions about Drinking Water Fluoridation

• Fluoridation Fact Sheet

• CB Fluoride Fact Card