Why is there fluoride in my water?

Most natural water supplies contain some naturally occurring fluoride. Nevertheless, many communities, including the City of North Miami, add fluoride to their drinking water to promote dental health and to remain in compliance with all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Health guidelines.

Current Guidelines on Fluoride

The most current guideline from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L), the amount where fluoride is shown to be beneficial to the public. The EPA sets levels of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems and the current maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by the EPA for fluoride is 4 mg/L. The MCL is the maximum amount allowed in a public water system.

For more information on fluoride in drinking water, we encourage you to visit the EPA website for information about fluoride. Additional information can be found on the websites for Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Show All Answers

1. My cold water tap is coming out brown, what do I do?
2. My cold water tap has a foul odor?
3. How often is our drinking water tested?
4. What should I do if I want my household water tested?
5. Why is there fluoride in my water?
6. How can I conserve water?
7. What is the shower head exchange program?