WSSC Water is temporarily reducing fluoride levels in its drinking water due to nationwide supply chain disruptions which are partly linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
WSSC supplies 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. The utlity began reducing fluoride levels Tuesday afternoon at its Potomac and Patuxent Water Filtration Plants. The drop in flouride went from around 0.7 milligrams per liter to 0.4 mg/L.
What Does This All Mean?
Hydrofluorosilicic acid is a compound used in community water fluoridation. The market for it has undergone major disruption in recent months due to reduced domestic production and reduced output from other producers, according to a WSSC statement.
WSSC uses a major supplier in Israel, and the utility will continue to use that supplier, but it will receive shipments “at a reduced volume” due to operational impacts, according to WSSC.
“This is a temporary adjustment driven solely by supply availability,” said WSSC Water’s Director of Production Ben Thompson. “We remain committed to maintaining safe, high-quality drinking water and will restore optimal fluoride levels as soon as supply conditions stabilize.”
Fluoride is not mandated by federal or state regulations. Its addition to drinking water is a voluntary public health measure endorsed by leading health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics are among other healthcare advocates endorsing fluoride.
WSSC Water encourages customers to consult with their dentist or healthcare provider about alternative sources of fluoride during this period, specifically for children and individuals at higher risk for tooth decay, said water utility officials.
