Connecticut State Department of Public Health

What is water fluoridation?  Fluoride is a natural mineral that is shown to protect against tooth decay. Almost all water has some naturally occurring fluoride, but usually not enough to prevent tooth decay. The amount of fluoride in many drinking water supplies is changed to a level to help reduce tooth decay and promote good oral health. This practice is known as water fluoridation. Thousands of research studies have shown that water fluoridation is safe, effective and the best way to improve oral health in a community. Given the large decrease in tooth decay during the past 60 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named water fluoridation one of Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century

What are the requirements for water fluoridation in Connecticut?  Fluoridation became a law (CGS Sec. 19a-38 ) in Connecticut on May 18, 1965, initiated by Public Act 156.  Connecticut General Statute Section 19a-38 states that “wherever the fluoride content of public water supplies serving twenty thousand or more persons supplies less than eight-tenths of a milligram per liter of fluoride, the person, firm, corporation or municipality having jurisdiction over the supply shall add a measured amount of fluoride to the water so as to maintain a fluoride content of between eight-tenths of a milligram per liter and one and two-tenths milligrams per liter." 

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