NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, May 17, 2007

From May 19-21 and May 28-30, OWASA will temporarily stop adding fluoride to drinking water in order to confirm the duration of the water disinfection process in the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant.

The temporary absence of fluoride during the water sampling process will enable OWASA to calculate the length of time that drinking water goes through the disinfection process within the treatment plant. This testing is needed because of the installation of some new pipes at the treatment plant last year.  OWASA did similar testing in October, 2006.

OWASA officials said the temporary interruption of fluoridation will not affect the effectiveness of the water disinfection process or the safety or healthfulness of OWASA water, which continues to meet all Federal and State standards for safe drinking quality.

Background information

To help prevent tooth decay, OWASA has for decades added fluoride to drinking water at a controlled rate. The level of fluoride in OWASA drinking water is less than 1 part per million. One part per million corresponds to one penny in $10,000.

The maximum fluoride level under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act is 4 parts per million.

For more information:

John W. Greene, P.E., General Manager of Operations, 537-4218;
e-mail: jgreene@owasa.org

Ken Loflin, Water Supply and Treatment Manager, 537-4232;
e-mail: kloflin@owasa.org

Rachel Monschein, Laboratory Supervisor, Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant, 537-4227; e-mail: rmonschein@owasa.org