You may have seen recent media reports about fluoride from China being used in some local drinking water systems.

The fluoride MWRA adds comes from North Carolina.

Fluoride is added to drinking water to promote dental health. The type of fluoride added to MWRA’s water is hydrofluorosilicic acid and is a liquid, therefore, we have not had any of the “clogging” problems noted from the use of sodium fluoride, which is in the form of a powder.

MWRA conducts strict sampling of each delivery. A Certificate of Analysis is generated for each shipment and provided to MWRA staff upon arrival.  The driver cuts security seals (in our presence) and obtains a sample for testing. Prior to offloading staff check delivery paperwork, tank truck placarding, and perform tests for specific gravity and temperature, fluoride concentration and appearance.

MWRA maintains a target fluoride level of 1.0 part per million in the drinking water as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several other prominent organizations. The strong position taken by the CDC, one of the world’s leading public health institutions, is important to understanding MWRA’s addition of fluoride to reduce tooth decay and promote community public health.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority provides water and sewer services to 2.5 million people
in 61 metropolitan Boston communities.  

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Updated March 12, 2010