Richmond, Va. — A temporary spike in fluoride levels in Richmond’s water system has raised concerns for residents and local authorities alike. The incident, which occurred last week, was linked to a malfunction during the installation of a new fluoride pump at the city’s water treatment plant.
On Wednesday, April 23, Richmond’s water treatment plant installed a new pump to regulate fluoride levels in the city’s water supply. However, a technical issue during the installation caused an unintended increase in fluoride levels, which remained elevated for a period of approximately five hours.
The city reported that fluoride concentrations reached 2.67 milligrams per liter (mg/L) during this brief spike. While this level is below the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 mg/L, it exceeds the optimal fluoride level of 0.7 mg/L, which the city aims to maintain. The incident has prompted concerns about the potential health risks for residents, particularly young children.
In a statement, city officials emphasized that the water remained safe to drink, noting that the fluoride levels detected were well within federal safety guidelines. However, the city did acknowledge that children under the age of nine could be at risk for developing dental fluorosis if exposed to elevated fluoride concentrations over extended periods. Dental fluorosis is a cosmetic condition that causes discoloration of permanent teeth but does not affect overall health.
In response to the spike, the city is taking immediate action to reduce fluoride concentrations in affected areas. Officials are conducting an active flushing of water systems in pressure zones where fluoride levels exceed 2.0 mg/L. This measure aims to bring the fluoride levels back within the optimal range and to prevent further exposure to residents.
Despite the swift action, the situation has been marred by significant communication delays. Although the fluoride spike occurred on April 23, the city did not inform the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) within the required 24-hour period, a lapse in protocol that raised alarms. In addition, Henrico and Hanover counties, which also monitor water supplies that draw from Richmond’s system, were not notified of the incident until Sunday, April 27. The counties received information from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and VDH late in the evening, around 9:30 p.m. Richmond itself did not reach out to Henrico County until 10:30 p.m. the same night.
This delay in communication has sparked frustration, particularly given the region’s recent history with water-related crises. In January of this year, a significant water supply disruption affected multiple counties, including Henrico and Hanover, leaving many residents without access to clean water for several days. The new fluoride incident has reignited concerns over the management of public utilities and the timely flow of critical information to residents.
While the city continues to monitor and manage the situation, officials are reminding residents that the drinking water remains safe and that no levels have exceeded federal safety thresholds. The city also provided residents with a link to the Virginia Department of Health website for more information on fluoride and water safety.
As the situation unfolds, Richmond residents remain on edge, reflecting the lingering trust issues stemming from past water crises. With more proactive communication expected moving forward, local officials are hopeful that the incident can be resolved with minimal impact to public health.
For further updates, residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, including the city’s water department and the VDH.
