Fluoride

How much fluoride is
in OMWD’s water?

Olivenhain Municipal Water District began fluoridating its water on July 24, 2013. OMWD targets a fluoridation level of 0.7 parts per million, or 0.7 mg/L, as prescribed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. In 2015, the state decreased the target from 0.8mg/L. It’s also noteworthy that some fluoride occurs naturally, with levels ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 mg/L in OMWD’s water supply. The level of fluoride found in OMWD’s water is published annually in our Consumer Confidence Report.

The California Department of Public Health has determined that the concentration of fluoride in community drinking water, maintained at 0.7 parts per million, represents no health hazards. 

Why is OMWD adding
fluoride to its water?

OMWD fluoridates its water to comply with state law. Health & Safety Code §§116409-116415 requires public water systems, such as OMWD, to fluoridate to promote dental health.

Will OMWD continue fluoridating its water?

At its January 21, 2026 meeting, OMWD’s Board of Directors considered submitting a request to the State of California for an exemption from the requirement to add fluoride to it’s water.

The board decided not to pursue the exemption request.

OMWD will continue to monitor developments at the federal level for future considerations. 

In September 2024, a federal court (Food and Water Watch, Inc. v. US Environmental Protection Agency) ordered the EPA to start a rulemaking process regarding fluoridation. It is still uncertain what actions the EPA will take next. While the court mandated that the EPA begin rulemaking, it did not clarify an expected outcome. 

In May 2025, the Library of Congress published a report on The Development of Federal Recommendations and Regulations for Fluoride in Drinking Water.

On January 22, 2026, the EPA released Fluoride Human Health Toxicity Assessment: Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey for public comment. The plan describes the primary issues the EPA will consider and compiles a literature survey of relevant health effects studies to be evaluated in the assessment. The assessment will reflect a comprehensive review of available scientific data on fluoride exposure and health effects, conducted with external peer review and public input to inform potential revisions to federal drinking water regulations.

What if I do not want
to drink fluoridated water?

Customers concerned about fluoride in their drinking water may consider the installation of a home water filter using reverse osmosis or distillation technology.

Customers may also choose to drink bottled water that has been treated through reverse osmosis or distillation. Not all brands of bottled water are treated through these processes, and many may contain fluoride. Customers are advised to call the consumer information number on the bottle’s label to determine the level of fluoride.