Fluoride-Adjusted Public Water Supplies in New Jersey
September 2003
-- available in pdf format

See also
• Public Community Water Supplies in NJ with Naturally Occurring Fluoride at or near Optimal Concentrations, 2003
• 1992 information from CDC's Fluoridation Census on natural & fluoridated levels in NJ water supplies

All ground and surface water in the United States contains some naturally
occurring fluoride. If a community’s water supply contains less than 0.7 parts fluoride
per million parts water [Note 1 below], the water purveyor can adjust the fluoride concentration for
tooth decay prevention by raising the fluoride concentration, bringing it to the level
recommended for decay prevention. In New Jersey, the range of fluoride concentrations
recommended for decay prevention is 0.9-1.0 parts per million. [Note 2 below]

When fluoride is supplied in a child’s drinking water or diet through supplemental
additives, the developing primary and permanent teeth absorb protecting fluorides from
the blood. This brings about a permanent strengthening of the tooth enamel chemical
structure.

In studies conducted from 1976 through 1987, the level of decay reduction
achieved through water fluoridation in industrialized countries was:
30 – 60% in the primary dentition or baby teeth;
20 – 40% in the mixed dentition (aged 8 to 12);
15 – 35% in the permanent dentition or adult teeth (aged 14 to 17); and
15 – 35% in the permanent dentition (adults and seniors). [Note 3 below]

For additional information on this subject, contact:

N.J. Dental Association
One Dental Plaza
North Brunswick, NJ 0890
(732) 821-9400

N.J. Dept. of Health and Senior Services
School and Oral Health
PO Box 364
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
(609) 943-5749

N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Safe Drinking Water
PO Box 426
Trenton, NJ 08625-0426
(609) 292-5550

WATER PURVEYORS AND COMMUNITIES
SERVING FLUORIDE-ADJUSTED DRINKING WATER
September 2003

At various times of the year, communities listed in italics may contain fluoride at
less than optimum levels, or receive non-fluoridated water. Check with your water
utility for more information regarding fluoridation levels in your area.

Populations are presented only for the part of the municipality serviced by a
fluoridating water system (if known). Populations shown are served by public water
systems, not private wells.

In the preceeding tables, there are water systems and serving communities that experience
population surges during the summer months. Examples: New Jersey American Water Company
– Ocean: During the winter months, the population served ranges from 6,000-7,000 people. It
rises to about 50,000 people during the summer months. Belmar Water Department serves a
winter population of about 6,500 people, and during the summer months about 20,000 people.
Avon by the Sea Water Department – winter 2165, summer 5000. Many other Monmouth
County shore communities experience the same scenario.

Among other water systems, there are cross connections, interconnections, multiple consecutive
systems, systems that use their own wells part of the year, purchase 100% fluoridated water part
of the year, and blend or serve non-fluoridated water at other times. There are fluoridating
systems that supply part of a municipality, the balance served by non-fluoridating water systems.
There are communities that are split between two municipalities (eg: Belle Mead) and
communities split between two counties (Kingston).

In Monmouth County, various communities with their own water systems 100% bulk purchase
fluoridated water from New Jersey American-Monmouth system from about October through
April or May, then open their own treatment plants using their own wells and serve nonfluoridated
water for the balance of the year. These include Avon by the Sea, Belmar, Keansburg,
Matawan, and Red Bank.

An example of another distribution network is in Middlesex County. East Brunswick Water
Department (in the center of New Jersey) buys its water from North Jersey District Water
Authority (in North Jersey). This water is delivered to Middlesex Water Company (central New
Jersey) which treats the water, but does not fluoridate. This water is piped to East Brunswick
Water Company, which then fluoridates, distributes to East Brunswick Township, which also
bulk sells to three other community water systems. One of these systems, Helmetta Water
Department, then pipes this fluoridated water throughout its distribution system, Helmetta
Borough. The other two community water systems, South River Water Department and
Spotswood Water Department, supplement this purchased water with water from their own wells,
at times blending, other times not, to supply their respective municipalities, South River Borough
and Spotswood Borough. South River Borough and Spotswood Borough are not listed in the
chart.

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NOTES:

1. parts per million
2. Water Fluoridation– A Manual for Engineers and Technicians, United States Public Health Service,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 1986
3. Fluoridation Facts, American Dental Association, 1999