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About SPU
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Water System
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Water Quality & Treatment
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Water Quality Testing
Water Quality Testing
SPU conducts rigorous water quality testing on water from all of its sources to ensure safe, clean and pleasant-tasting water for its customers. Read more about SPU’s state of the art Water Quality Laboratory and what SPU is doing about common water quality concerns.
Fluoride
Fluoride is added to Seattle drinking water as a preventative against tooth decay. Fluoridation of Seattle’s water began in 1970 after a referendum vote in 1968 directed Seattle to fluoridate drinking water. Seattle Public Utilities sells water to 21 wholesale customers (cities and water districts) generally located around Lake Washington. Those wholesale customers also receive fluoridated water.
There is overwhelmingly strong public health support for fluoridation of drinking water:
- • Past 5 Surgeons General
- • Centers for Disease Control
- • American Public Health Association
- • American Dental Association
- • American Medical Association
- • Washington Department of Health
- • Public Health Seattle and King County (PHSKC).
Currently the Washington State Department of Health sets the optimal level of fluoride in drinking water at 1 part per million and the acceptable range as 0.8 parts per million to 1.3 parts per million. Based on 2009 water quality data, the fluoride content in Seattle’s drinking water has averaged about 1.0 parts per million, the state’s optimal level. See the section below about the new proposal and Seattle’s adjustment to the fluoride level.
New Recommendations Proposed
On January 7, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed recommended level of fluoride in drinking water of 0.7 parts per million (ppm). A final recommendation on the fluoride level is expected in the late summer or early fall of 2011. Seattle is coordinating with the Washington Department of Health and Public Health Seattle and King County in responding to this proposal.
Shortly after the new recommendation was proposed, and with the support of our local and state public health agencies, Seattle adjusted the fluoride in the water supply to the lower end allowed by current state law, 0.8 parts per million. We will continue to work with the Department of Health and Public Health Seattle and King County in preparation for a final federal recommendation on fluoride levels.
Related links
Water Quality Analyses
Water Quality Annual Reports
Links to other sites
HHS and EPA News Release
Washington Department of Health Fluorides and Fluoridation Website
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