Holiday Shores Sanitary District honored for Fluoride achievements in 2008
In Illinois, 883 of the state’s 1,786 community water supplies regularly add fluoride to their drinking water at levels that have been shown to reduce tooth decay and improve overall oral health in both children and adults. This is Holiday Shores Sanitary District 9th year to be honored for the fluoride achievements.
Announcing the awards, Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano, said: “We join IDPH in congratulating these water supply operators for their diligence in maintaining optimum fluoride levels for the benefit of the public.”
While fluoride occurs naturally in some areas, natural levels are often too low to provide maximum benefits. The state recommended levels are 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million. Public water supply operators who achieve that level on a monthly basis are recognized annually by the Illinois EPA and IDPH.
Amount the state’s community water supplies, 85 systems have consistently met the recommended levels for at least five consecutive years, while 90 have achieved it for at least 10 years, 12 more for at least 15 years, and five supplies have met the recommended limits for 20 consecutive years or more. Annual recognition of supplies that consistently achieve optimum fluoride levels was begun in 1982.
It is estimated that a community spends about 50 cents per person per year to adjust fluoride levels for maximum benefit. Dr. Eric Whitakes, director of IDPH, said: “It is worth every penny spent when you look at the savings in dental treatment. Studies have shown that for every dollar invested in fluoridation, as much as $38 is saved”.
