Fluoride in District of Columbia Drinking Water
District of Columbia has 48 public water systems. 19 have recorded fluoride violations.
Total Systems
48
With Violations
19
EPA MCL
4
Population Served
701K
Fluoride in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
48
Systems with Violations
19
Lead Violations
2
Copper Violations
4
EPA Standard
4 mg/L
MCLG (goal): 4 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in District of Columbia
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| PASCHAL SHERMAN INDIAN SCHOOL | 220 | 195 |
| WA HE LUT INDIAN SCHOOL | 175 | 114 |
| Eastern Navajo Agency - BIE | 455 | 112 |
| Chi Chil Tah Jones Ranch Community School - BIE | 137 | 94 |
| D.C. WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY | 632K | 82 |
| JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA - BOLLING | 19K | 81 |
| Fort Wingate Community | 550 | 67 |
| Bread Springs Day School (New) - BIE | 115 | 66 |
Health Effects of Fluoride Exposure
Dental fluorosis
Cosmetic tooth enamel changes at 2 mg/L+
Skeletal fluorosis
Bone damage with long-term exposure above 4 mg/L
At recommended levels (0.7 mg/L), fluoride benefits dental health
Dental fluorosis (cosmetic) at 2 mg/L. Skeletal fluorosis (bone damage) at 4 mg/L. Below 0.7 mg/L used for dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there fluoride in District of Columbia water?
District of Columbia has 48 public water systems. 19 have recorded fluoride violations based on EPA SDWIS data. If you are on a private well, your water is not covered by these regulations and should be tested independently.
How can I check my District of Columbia water for fluoride?
Search for your water system using the WaterCheck system lookup, or contact your utility and request a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR is published annually and lists all detected contaminants, their levels, and the EPA MCLs. For private wells, contact a state-certified lab for independent testing.
What is the EPA limit for fluoride?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for fluoride is 4 mg/L. Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Fluoride at a Glance
Source
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive to promote dental health; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
How to Filter Fluoride
- +Reverse osmosis removes fluoride
- +Distillation removes fluoride
- +Standard carbon filters do NOT remove fluoride