Public Health Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON FLUORIDATION OF THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
SUMMARY: This act reduces the public water supply's mandated fluoride content. Specifically, it requires water companies serving at least 20,000 people to add enough fluoride to the water supply to maintain an average monthly fluoride content that varies no more than 0. 15 milligrams per liter (mg/L) from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) most recent recommendation for optimal fluoride levels in drinking water to prevent tooth decay (currently 0. 7 mg/L). Prior law required water companies to maintain the public water supply's fluoride content at between 0. 8 and 1. 2 mg/L.
A “water company” is an individual, municipality, or other entity that owns, maintains, operates, manages, controls, or employs any pond, lake, reservoir, well, stream, or distribution plant or system that regularly supplies water to at least two consumers (i. e. , service connections) or at least 25 people.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2016
Background
HHS Recommendation for Optimal Fluoride Levels
In 1962, the U. S. Public Health Service recommended that fluoride concentrations in drinking water be 0. 7 to 1. 2 mg/L, depending on the area's ambient air temperature (areas with higher average temperatures would require less fluoride). In 2011, HHS proposed new guidance recommending that community water systems adjust their fluoride levels to 0. 7 mg/L. HHS finalized this recommendation in 2015.
OLR Tracking: ND; JR; PF; bs