Pump installation caused increased fluoride levels in Richmond water supply

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Following statements released by Henrico and Hanover counties, the City of Richmond has revealed that a pump installation last week caused fluoride levels to increase in the city's water system temporarily.

According to the city, its water treatment plant had a new fluoride pump installed on Wednesday, April 23. During that installation, an issue occurred that caused the level of fluoride in the water to increase for "a period of five hours."

It was emphasized by the city that the drinking water provided by the plant was safe for consumption, detailing that the detected fluoride levels were 2.67 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which it stated is less than the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) at 4.0 mg/L.

The optimal measurement of fluoride is 0.7 mg/L, according to the city. There was no point where the fluoride level got above the MCL.

Additionally, the city revealed that plant staff failed to notify the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) within a 24-hour period, which is a requirement.

In terms of the impacts of increased fluoride exposure, the levels measured during this incident could potentially impact children under nine years old through a condition known as dental fluorosis -- a "cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth," as described by the city.

There is active flushing being done in the pressure zones where fluoride measurements are above 2.0 mg/L -- a measurement that requires officials to notify customers of the potential for dental fluorosis.

8News was first informed of the fluoride incident not by the city, but by statements released from Henrico and Hanover informing residents that they were monitoring levels of fluoride within their respective water supplies because of the city's incident.

Both counties stated that the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 23, but they were not notified until Sunday, April 27, when the Virginia Department of Management (VDEM) and the VDH informed them at around 9:30 p.m., per their press releases.

The city itself did not contact Henrico County until around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

This issue comes after multiple counties, including Hanover and Henrico, were impacted by the Richmond water crisis in January of this year, resulting in many residents having little or no water for several days.

For more information about fluoride and fluoridation levels in drinking water, the city offered residents this VDH webpage.