Fluoride levels in Richmond’s water returning to normal after ‘unknown amounts’ added

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Fluoride levels throughout the city of Richmond's water system are now closer to normal as of Tuesday after "unknown amounts of additional fluoride" were added last week.

On Wednesday, April 23, a new pump was installed at Richmond's water treatment plant. An "issue" that arose during this installation caused additional fluoride to be added to the city's water system over the course of five hours. Prior to that, the fluoride system had been offline for repairs.

The recommended level of fluoride in water -- which is added for its dental health benefits -- is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). As recently as Monday, fluoride levels in some parts of the city of Richmond were at or above 2.0 mg/L.

The health concerns associated with a fluoride level above 2.0 mg/L are largely restricted to children nine years or younger, who can experience "dental fluorosis," or permanent staining of the teeth. The city has maintained that, otherwise, the water was safe for consumption.

News of this incident was not shared with the public until Monday, April 28. Localities that are served by Richmond's water system -- including Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield counties -- were not informed until a day before that, on Sunday, April 27.

On Monday, Henrico and Hanover issued statements saying that fluoride levels within both of their own water systems were found to be above 1.0 mg/L. In Chesterfield, fluoride levels varied across entry points, with the lowest being 1.27 mg/L and the highest being 3.86 mg/L.

It was Henrico and Hanover counties that first issued press releases about the incident. Richmond's own announcement came later that same evening.

On Tuesday, April 29, the city provided an update on its efforts to reduce these increased fluoride levels.

According to that press release, after the city flushed water lines where necessary, current fluoride levels range from 0.63 and 0.7 mg/L at the water treatment plant. Throughout the system, levels range from 0.6 to 1.5 mg/L -- below the 2.0 mg/L threshold for concerns about dental fluorosis.

‘Faulty components and faulty culture’: VDH says Richmond’s water crisis was decades in the making

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) told 8News on Tuesday that it has not been notified of any spike in illnesses that could be associated with this temporary increase in fluoride levels.

"VDH has not identified any risk to public health from the temporary fluoride exceedance," the VDH said in a statement to 8News. "The VDH State Toxicologist reviewed data with ODW and determined that the fluoride concentration was too low and too short in duration to cause an immediate (acute) health risk of nausea, vomiting, or heart effects."

Regardless of this outcome, all three counties expressed frustration and concern with Richmond's delay in communication -- especially just months after the Richmond water crisis.

If you'd like to learn more about the city's standard fluoridation process, click here.