Does Charleston's water contain fluoride?

Yes, our source water includes naturally occurring fluoride (approximately 0.15 mg/L), and we adjust the level to approximately 0.7 mg/L during the treatment process. 


Drinking Water Fluoridation (Position Statement)
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners October 24, 2017

The Charleston Water System (CWS) supports the recommendations of the World Health Organization, American Medical Association, Canadian Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association, Canadian Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association and other professional organizations in the medical community, for the proper fluoridation of public water supplies as a public health benefit. We also support regular scrutiny of the most current peer reviewed research on fluoride and the positions of the medical and dental community.

We adjust the naturally occurring level of fluoride in our drinking water in a responsible, effective, and reliable manner that includes monitoring and controlling fluoride levels as mandated by state and/or federal laws, regulations and recommendations. We carefully monitor and adjust potable water to achieve the scientifically recommended concentration of fluoride for protection against dental caries, which is 0.7 parts per million. Our annual cost for this program is about $110,000, which equates to $0.25 per person across the approximately 450,000 people in our water service area.

The CWS participates in the fluoridation of water under the guidance of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), Oral Health Division. SCDHEC coordinates their program in conjunction with the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

If there are questions regarding these programs, please contact:

SCDHEC
Division of Oral Health
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201
P: (803) 898-9577
F: (803) 898-2065


Show All Answers

1. Does Charleston have a shortage of water?
2. Does Charleston's water contain fluoride?
3. How is the water disinfected?
4. I live in an older home, should I be concerned about lead pipes contaminating my water?
5. Is it okay to use the hot water tap for cooking or drinking?
6. Is my water safe to drink or is bottled water or filtered water safer?
7. Is tap water safe for use in aquariums?
8. My dishwasher leaves water spots on my glasses. What can I do to prevent this?
9. My water tastes / smells funny. Does this mean it's not safe to drink? What should I do?
10. Should I be concerned about Cryptosporidium or Giardia?
11. Should I be concerned about the sodium level of Charleston Water System water?
12. Sometimes my water has a milky white appearance, why?
13. What is a Boil Water Advisory?
14. What is the pH of Charleston's water?
15. What is hardness and how hard is Charleston's water?
16. Where does Charleston Water System water come from?
17. Why does my water sometimes appear rusty?