Fluoridation
At New Braunfels Utilities (NBU), our top priority is to protect public health and ensure safe, reliable water for over one hundred thousand residents. We are aware of and are monitoring the recent studies regarding fluoridation and the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.”
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in our local water supplies. NBU adjusts the naturally occurring fluoride as part of our water treatment process to prevent tooth decay, as recommended and endorsed by leading national organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). For details, read the Quick Facts section below.
NBU will continue to monitor information from the EPA, TCEQ and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services experts to provide guidance on health-based standards for drinking water as part of our mission to protect public health and safety.
We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
The History of Fluoridation
More than 70 years of scientific research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. Simply by drinking water, Americans can benefit from fluoride’s cavity protection whether they are at home, work or school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act which requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to determine the level of contaminants in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur. These non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks and exposure over a lifetime with an adequate margin of safety, are called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG). Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water. The USEPA has set the level of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health issues. The MCLG level for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L or 4.0 parts per million (ppm).
The City of New Braunfels held a public referendum in 1980, and the citizens of New Braunfels voted to increase the amount of fluoride in the water system. NBU began adding fluoride to the water in 1982.
Yes, NBU began adding fluoride to the water supply in 1982 after the City of New Braunfels held an election in which the citizens of New Braunfels passed by majority vote the decision to add fluoride to the drinking water.
NBU closely monitors and adjusts fluoride levels in accordance with guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These agencies set health-based standards to ensure fluoride levels remain safe for public consumption.
We are aware of the recent U.S. District Court ruling regarding fluoridation and understand public concerns. NBU continues to monitor new research and consult experts from the EPA, TCEQ and HHS to stay informed about any changes to health-based standards for drinking water.
For more detailed information, you can refer to resources provided by the CDC, WHO and EPA. Additionally, you can contact NBU for any specific questions or concerns.