Fluoride Information

This notice is required for notification of changes to your drinking water with the addition of fluoride per State Law-RSA 485:14, Section II. Salem has begun receiving water as a member community of the Southern NH Interconnection Project or Regional Water Project. The originator of this water is Manchester Water Works (MWW) who uses Lake Massabesic as its source and adds fluoride as part of their potable water treatment process. The original notice was mailed out to customers and published on May 26, 2020. It is posted here and can be viewed in the attachment below.The mineral fluoride occurs naturally on earth and is released from rocks into the soil, water, and air. Fluoride is found naturally in water and has been proven to protect teeth from decay. Usually, the natural level of fluoride in water is not enough to accomplish this so some communities do water fluoridation as part of their processing in an effort to boost the effective concentrations.

Fluoride benefits children and adults throughout their lives. For children younger than age 8, fluoride helps strengthen the adult (permanent) teeth that are developing under the gums. For older children and adults, drinking water with fluoride supports tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong and healthy. Although other fluoride-containing products, such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and dietary supplements are available and contribute to the prevention and control of tooth decay, community water fluoridation has been identified as the most cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all, reducing tooth decay by up to 25%(see note) in children and adults.

Salem will be receiving on average 500,000 gallons per day of the fluoridated potable water from MWW. That water will enter Salem's system directly and immediately become diluted as we do not add fluoride as part of our potable water treatment processing. Salem averages 2.5 million gallons a day (MGD) of water demand and as much as 3.5 MGD during the summer months so it is expected that most of the fluoride will be below that of MWW's system entry level concentration of 0.7mg/L. Because of this the fluoride levels may be too low to effectively prevent tooth decay. Please consult a dental provider with any questions about fluoride supplementation. The Fluoride Concentration Map (insert and attached) has been provided as a guide of estimated concentrations throughout Salem's system with the addition of MWW water.

(note) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention