Baltimore City to Temporarily Lower Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water Due to Supply Constraints
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will reduce the level of fluoride in its drinking water system beginning this week due to ongoing national supply chain challenges affecting the availability of hydrofluorosilicic acid, which is a compound commonly used for water fluoridations. This adjustment will affect all people served by the City of Baltimore’s’ public water system, including residents in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County.
Fluoride levels will be lowered from approximately 0.7 milligrams per liter to 0.4 milligrams per liter at its Ashburton and Montebello filtration plants. There are no required minimum fluoride levels. Drinking water will remain safe and meet all federal and state water quality standards. This reduction does not affect the overall safety or quality of the water as fluoride is not regulatory required additive.
These constraints are part of broader national supply chain disruptions, driven in part by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as well as reduced domestic production and limited output from key international suppliers. A key supplier based in Israel has experienced significant operational disruptions.
“This is an adjustment driven solely by supply availability,” said DPW Director Matthew Garbark. “We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water.”
Although federal and state regulations do not require fluoride to be added during water treatment, it is widely used as a public health measure to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth. Leading public health organizations—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics—support community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure.
Residents, especially children and those at higher risk for tooth decay, are encouraged to consult their dentist or healthcare provider about alternative sources of fluoride during this period.
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