Fluoride occurs naturally and is sometimes added at low levels to help prevent tooth decay. The health-based limit protects against effects that only occur at much higher, long-term levels.
In Florida, Fluoride was reported by 693 community water systems serving about 9,063,024 people. 1 of those readings were above the federal legal limit, together serving 102,000 people. It was measured by 1,559 systems in all, so it was detected in 44% of the systems that tested for it.
The highest reading relative to the limit was at West Palm Beach WTP in Palm Beach County, at 146% of it.
Where it comes from: Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Enforceable. A utility must stay at or under this.
Health-based, not enforceable. Often lower than the limit, sometimes zero.
California OEHHA PHG (1997)
Health effects the EPA associates with it: Bone disease (pain and tenderness). Mottled teeth in children.
Water at or under the legal limit meets federal safety standards. A reading above a health goal is not the same as being unsafe, and health goals are set purely on health without regard to cost or treatability. Both are shown so the margin is visible either way.
Showing the 25 highest of 693 systems that reported Fluoride.
These figures describe water as delivered by each utility, not what your home’s plumbing adds after it arrives. Informational; not a substitute for testing your own tap.