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Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

89 Michigan water systems awarded national fluoridation quality award

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today that 89 water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. It has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing decay. According to the CDC, savings for communities ranged from $1.10 to $135 for every $1 invested.

The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout calendar year 2020. A total of 1,292 water systems in 28 states received the award including the following Michigan systems:

Adrian Jonesville
Albion K I Sawyer
Alpena Kalamazoo
Baraga Lake Bella Vista
Battle Creek – Verona System Lake Odessa
Bay Area Water System Linden
Belding Lowell
Benton Harbor Ludington
Benton Township Manchester
Big Rapids Manistique
Blissfield Marshall
Bridgman Mason
Brighton Menominee Water Department
Brooklyn MHOG Sewer & Water Authority
Buchanan Michigan State University
Carson City Midland
Cassopolis Milford
Charlotte Monroe
Clare Mt. Pleasant
Dexter Munising
East Lansing Meridian Township Water Authority Muskegon Heights
East Jordan Negaunee-Ishpeming Authority
Eaton Rapids New Buffalo
Elk Rapids Niles
Escanaba Water Department Northwest Ottawa Water Treatment Plant
Fenton Norway
Fremont Otsego
Genesee County Water System Parchment
Gladstone Water Department Plainfield Township
Grand Ledge Plainwell
Grand Rapids Saginaw
Gratiot Area Water Authority Sault Ste Marie
Grayling South Lyon
Great Lakes Water Authority Sparta
Greenville St Ignace
Grosse Pointe Farms St Johns
Harbor Springs St Joseph
Hartford Standish
Hastings Summit Township
Hillsdale Tecumseh
Holland Board of Public Works Traverse City
Howell Wakefield
Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority Wayland
Ionia Wyoming
Jackson  

 

“Michigan consistently exceeds the Healthy People 2030 target of 77.1% of the population on a fluoridated public water supply,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director for MDHHS Public Health Administration. “These awards from the CDC recognize Michigan’s commitment to community water fluoridation, which is the most cost effective and efficient way of preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime and benefits all residents.”

For more information about community water fluorination, visit the CDC website.