FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tommy Johnson, DMD
(334) 206-5398
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announces that 78 Alabama public water systems recently received water fluoridation quality awards from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2016. One 50-year certificate was also provided to Decatur Utilities for fluoridating for 50 years or more.
Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. The award recognized those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2016.
Studies have shown that for every $1 invested in fluoridation, approximately $38 is saved in costs for dental treatment. Research also shows that fluoridation prevents tooth decay among all age groups, not just children, regardless of age, race, education or income levels. More than 210 million people, or 75 percent of the United States population served by public water supplies, currently drink water with optimal fluoride levels for preventing decay.
The ADPH’s county environmental and oral health staff, Alabama Department of Environmental Management staff, local water plant staffs and CDC made this achievement possible by submitting or collecting data to report in the Water Fluoridation Reporting System.
For more information contact Summer Gagnon, state fluoridation program coordinator, or Dr. Tommy Johnson, Oral Health director, at (334) 206-5398 or visit alabamapublichealth.gov/oralhealth/.
Systems receiving water fluoridation quality awards are as follows:
Certificate of Appreciation – 50 Year Award
2016-2017
Decatur Utilities
Water Fluoridation Quality Award Recipients
- Albertville Utilities Board
- Alexander City Water Department
- American Water Enterprise
- Anniston Water Works
- Athens Water Dept.
- Atmore Utility Board
- Auburn Water Works
- Bessemer (G.U.S.C.)
- Birmingham Water Board
- Brewton Water Works
- Central Elmore Water & Sewer Authority
- Centre Water and Sewer Board
- Chattahoochee Valley Water Supply Dist.
- Colbert County Rural Water System
- Cullman Utilities Board
- Daleville Water & Sewer Board
- Daphne Utilities Board
- Decatur Utilities
- Dothan Water Utilities
- Enterprise Water Works
- Eufaula Water Works
- Evergreen Water Works
- Fairhope Water Dept.
- Fayette Water Works Board
- Five Star Water
- Foley-Riviera Utilities
- Fort Deposit Water & Sewer Board
- Gadsden Water Works
- Gordo Water Gas & Sewer
- Grand Bay Water Works Board
- Guin Water & Sewer Board
- Guntersville Water Works & Sewer Board
- Gulf Shores Utilities Board
- Hamilton Water Works & Sewer Board
- Harvest-Monrovia Water & Sewer
- Heflin Water Works
- Huntsville Utilities
- Jackson Water & Sewer
- Jacksonville Utilities
- Lafayette Water Works
- Luverne Water & Sewer Department
- Madison County Water Department
- Marion Water Department
- Mobile Area Water Service System
- Montgomery Water Works
- Monroeville Water Service
- Muscle Shoals Water Department
- North Baldwin Utilities
- North Marshall Utilities
- Northport Water Treatment Facility
- Orange Beach Water system
- Ozark Utilities
- Perdido Bay Water System
- Phenix City Utilities
- Pine Hill Water Department
- Russell County Water Authority
- Russellville Water & Sewer Board
- Saraland Water Service
- Scottsboro Water, Sewer, & Gas Board
- Section-Dutton Water System
- Selma Water Works & Sewer Board
- Sheffield Utilities Department
- Shelby County Water Services
- Smiths Water & Sewer Authority
- Spanish Fort Water System
- Sylacauga Utilities Board
- Talladega Water & Sewer Board
- Talladega-Shelby Water Treatment Plant
- Tallassee Water Works
- Tri Community Water System
- Troy Utilities Department
- Trussville Utilities
- Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer
- Tuscumbia Water Works
- Tuskegee Utilities
- Utilities Board of the City of Opelika
- Warrior River Authority
- Water Works Board of Prattville