Your Water
Fluoride
Q. |
Does everyone in San Antonio receive fluoridated water? |
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A. |
The city ordinance that was approved by voters on Nov. 7, 2000 directed all direct suppliers of drinking water through piping systems serving properties within the City of San Antonio to fluoridate all water supplies within their distribution systems. SAWS complies with the ordinance and adds fluoride to all water within its system. |
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Q. |
When did fluoridation of San Antonio's water supply begin? |
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A. |
SAWS and the former Bexar Metropolitan Water District (now part of SAWS) started adding fluoride to our distribution systems in August 2002. |
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Q. |
What form of fluoride is added to our water? |
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A. |
Hydrofluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) is used. The fluoride meets standards set by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), organizations that set standards for potable, or drinkable, water. |
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Q. |
How is fluoride added to the water? |
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A. |
Fluoride is added to the water at each of our water pump stations. Fluoride at each station
is stored in bulk storage tanks. Fluoride is manually
transferred from the bulk tanks to smaller day
tanks each day to meet pumping requirements. Metering
pumps then move the fluoride from day tanks to
the water as it is pumped from the well. Fluoride
injection pumps operate only when water wells
are operating. |
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Q. |
What is the concentration of fluoride? |
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A. |
Fluoride already occurs naturally in San Antonio's water at 0.3 parts per million. SAWS adds enough fluoride to bring the fluoride level up to 0.7 parts per million, the recommended level that experts say is necessary to protect teeth against decay. Water from the Trinity Aquifer is naturally fluoridated at near the recommended levels and therefore requires no additional fluoride. Learn more about our Trinity Aquifer water supply. |
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Q. |
How much does it cost to fluoridate our water? |
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A. |
In 2011, SAWS fluoridated 55.4 billion gallons of water at a cost of $572,880. That works out to 1 cent per 1,000 gallons. |
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Q. |
How can I be sure that the level of fluoride in my water is safe? |
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A. |
Multiple levels of checks and double-checks are included in the fluoride system, including:
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Q. |
If I don't want fluoride in my water, how can I remove it? |
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A. |
Customers can purchase reverse osmosis filtration
systems that can remove fluoride from the water. Reverse osmosis is a very high level of filtration that removes
up to 98% of dissolved minerals — including chlorine and
fluoride — as well as virtually 100% of colloidal and suspended
matter. Reverse osmosis filters are available in under-sink models. |