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1. Does ACWD fluoridate its water?

Yes, voters required the addition of fluoride in the early 1970’s and ACWD began fluoridating drinking water in 1976.

2. Why do you fluoridate the drinking water?

Fluoride is added to your drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Although fluoride is found naturally in almost all water sources, it is generally not enough to provide oral health benefits. Drinking fluoridated water benefits the whole community, including people of all ages and especially low-income and underserved populations.

3. What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring element found in rocks and soil. As water passes through and over soil and rock formations containing fluoride, the fluoride dissolves into the water.

4. How much fluoride is added to my water?

ACWD supplements the naturally-occurring fluoride in your drinking water to meet the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) recommended optimal level of 0.7 parts per million (ppm). Samples are collected daily to ensure that the fluoride level is within the State-specified control range of 0.6-1.2 ppm.

5. How does ACWD monitor the fluoride level in my water?

ACWD uses continuous monitoring equipment at each of its treatment facilities. Water samples are also collected and analyzed daily from 53 locations throughout the service area. Compliance reports are submitted monthly to the DDW, the Alameda County Public Health Department, and the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency.

6. What do health professionals say about fluoride?

Medical and dental experts endorse water fluoridation as the single most effective public health measure to improve oral health. For over 65 years, drinking fluoridated water has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective.

Local, state, and national health organizations emphasize the benefits of fluoridation for community prevention of tooth decay and maintain that fluoride poses no health threat. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention proclaimed fluoridation to be one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.

7. What are the regulations on fluoridating drinking water?

Assembly Bill 733, signed into law in 1995, requires large water systems to fluoridate their public water supplies. It also directs DDW to seek funding for fluoridation. In April 1998, DDW adopted regulations to enforce the water fluoridation requirements in AB 733.

Senate Bill 96, passed in 2004, further reinforced community water fluoridation as a statewide public health priority and preempted local regulations.

8. Do statewide regulations regarding fluoridation apply to ACWD?

Yes, statewide regulations apply to large water systems with at least 10,000 service connections and require that:
Large systems with existing fluoridation practices continue fluoridating, and
Large non-fluoridated systems start fluoridating when funding is made available

ACWD delivers water to over 80,000 service connections and is required to fluoridate in order to stay compliant.

9. Should I use fluoride supplements?

Drinking fluoridated water on a regular basis makes the use of fluoride supplements unnecessary. Simultaneous use of fluoride supplements and drinking fluoridated water is not recommended by health professionals. Contact your health care or dental care provider if you have questions about fluoride supplements.

10. Is fluoride okay for my pets?

Fluoride in levels administered for drinking water is safe for humans and all animals. Fluoridated water has no effect on the growth of tropical fish or goldfish. Research and experience have shown that fluoridation at optimal levels does not harm people or the environment.

11. If I have water filter, is it removing the fluoride?

To find out if fluoride is being removed, check with the filter manufacturer. Typically, carafe filters, faucet filters, and carbon filters do not remove fluoride.

12. If I do not want to drink fluoridated tap water, how can I remove the fluoride?

There are four different ways to remove fluoride from tap water: activated alumina filters, distillation, reverse osmosis, and anion exchange. No treatment method will remove all of the fluoride. Consult with the manufacturers on the amount of fluoride their products can remove.

The most effective whole house filtration method for removing fluoride is reverse osmosis which has up to 80-90% efficiency. Water distillation systems remove up to 100% of fluoride, and bottled water does not generally contain fluoride.

The following products or procedures will NOT remove fluoride:
- Activated carbon filters
- Water softeners
- Boiling water - concentrates fluoride rather than reduces it.
- Refrigerating or freezing water - has no effect on the concentration of fluoride in the water

13. Which organizations endorse water fluoridation?

The following organizations endorse fluoridation as an important public health measure for reducing tooth decay:
- The American Dental Association
- The American Medical Association
- The American Water Works Association
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- California Department of Public Health
- Alameda County Public Health Department