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Water Fluoridation FAQ

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  ● What is fluoride?
Found in rocks, soil and fresh and ocean water, fluoride is an abundant naturally occurring mineral. 
  ● Why fluoridate drinking water?
When present in drinking water at optimal levels, fluoride has been shown to dramatically improve oral health by preventing tooth decay. California law requires larger water distributors to fluoridate the water supply, as outside funding becomes available.
  ● What should I do when the fluoridation program starts?
You do not need to make any changes to your drinking water habits. Fluoride will not change the taste, smell, or appearance of your drinking water. If you are in the area of Santa Clara that receives fluoridated water and you're taking or considering taking prescription fluoride supplements, either tablets or drops, health experts advise you inform your physician/dentist of fluoride in your drinking water.
  ● How much fluoride will be added to my water?
The San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) supplements naturally occurring fluoride in your drinking water to meet the levels recommended by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which is 0.7 part per million of fluoride. The proposed recommended level of concentration by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is 0.7 part per million. The chemical used by SFPUC for water fluoridation is suitable for drinking water use. It complies with the drinking water additives requirements Section 64700, Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and has been tested and certified as meeting the specifications of American National Standards institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 60.
 

● Can you give examples of parts per million (ppm)?

  • One drop of fluoride in about 13 gallons of water
  • One minute in approximately 700 days
  • One second in 276 hours (or 11.5 days)
  • One inch in approximately 16 miles
  • One cent in $10,000
  ● Why isn’t all the water in Santa Clara fluoridated?
Although the SFPUC has chosen to fluoridate the water purchased by the City, the City does not plan to fluoridate its other sources of water. The capital and operational costs associated with fluoridating the 28 other sources of water within the City of Santa Clara are cost prohibitive.
California state law requires a water system such as the City of Santa Clara’s to fluoridate the water once outside funding is available. To date, funding has not been available from the state.
  ● Is fluoride safe?
Fluoride in levels administered for drinking water is safe for humans and all animals.
Over 50 years of research and experience have shown that fluoride at optimal levels is safe for people and the environment. Leading scientists and health professionals, numerous professional organizations and governments around the world support community water fluoridation.
  ● If I have a water filter, is it removing the fluoride?
Most water filters do not remove fluoride; check with the filter manufacturer to find out if fluoride is removed.
The most effective way to remove fluoride from a household supply is by reverse osmosis filtering with up to 80 to 90 percent efficiency. Water distillation systems remove up to 100 percent of fluoride.
  ● What if my child has been receiving fluoride drops or tablets?
Please check with the pediatrician or dentist who prescribed the supplements to determine the proper dose, the need to receive fluoride supplements and associated health benefits.
  ● I use toothpaste and mouthwash that have fluoride in them, and I live in the area that receives fluoridated water from the SFPUC. Is this a problem?
There is no problem continuing to use fluoridated toothpaste and/or mouthwash since they are not swallowed or ingested.
 

● What do health professionals say about fluoride?
Many health experts endorse water fluoridation as the single most effective public health measure to improve oral health. Through more than 50 years of extensive research, drinking fluoridated water has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. The following organizations endorse water fluoridation as an important health measure for reducing tooth decay:

  • The American Dental Association (ADA) first endorsed fluoridation in 1950 and has repeatedly reaffirmed its position publicly.
  • The American Medical Association (AMA) endorsed fluoridation in 1951 and reaffirmed its endorsement in 2011.
  • The America Water Works Association (AWWA) endorsed fluoridation in 1976, and reaffirmed its endorsement in 1982.
  • The San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda County Health Departments have all endorsed the SFPUC water fluoridation program.
  • The California Department of Public health has approved the SFPUC fluoridation program.
  ● How can I learn more about water fluoridation?
For information on fluoride in your drinking water call, Water & Sewer Utilities at (408) 615-2000.
For health related information, call the Santa Clara County Public Health Department at (408) 792-5040.
More information is also available on the following websites:

Last Updated:
06-18-2024