The Lewiston Water Division and Auburn Water District are not currently adding fluoride to the public water in their cities.
Officials say this is due to a global shortage of fluoride.
The addition in both cities stopped on July 30 and the cities say there is no timetable for when the product will be available again and when they will start adding it back into the water.
Under Maine law, public water systems must add fluoride to the water if a majority of customers vote to do so.
When treated, water in Lewiston and Auburn typically maintains fluoride levels around 0.64 parts per million, in line with state guidelines.
The shortage of fluoride has been blamed on the war in the Middle East, with problems reported as far back as April.
Israel is one of the world’s top exporters of fluorosilicic acid, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA data also shows the U.S. is among the world’s top five importers of the product.
At least one Israeli supplier has been facing workforce challenges because many employees have been called into active military service, said Dan Hartnett, chief policy officer for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.
“That has led to decreased production, and supply shortages for the U.S. market,” he said.
Original article online at: https://www.wmtw.com/article/no-fluoride-public-water-lewiston-auburn-maine-shortage/73379031