FLUORIDE GONE: The last of the fluoride added to the Golden Heart Utilities system should be out of the system by now, the utility says. The fluoride hopper was empty as of Wednesday and it probably took a couple of days before the water no longer contained the additive.

With the removal of fluoride, the “pH” level of the water will increase somewhat, just slightly above the recommended levels suggested by the federal government. The normal range is 6.5 to 8.5, but the pH is expected to be about 8.55 without added fluoride, she said.

That means the water would be slightly more alkaline than recommended. The pH standard is not a requirement.

Tiffany Van Horn, director of administration for Golden Heart, said the company does not expect that consumers will notice any change in the water as the pH will be barely above the recommended range. The company is not required to make any changes to reduce the pH level, but it will wait and see before deciding if additional processing is needed.

Print PDF