National fluoridation quality award presented to 71 Michigan water systems

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2020
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today that 71 water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2019. A total of 1,523 water systems in 29 states received the award including the following Michigan systems:

Ann Arbor	Lake Bella Vista
Bangor	Linden
Baraga	Lowell
Battle Creek-Verona System	Ludington
Bay Area Water System	Manchester
Belding	Manistique
Benton Charter Township	Marshall
Big Rapids	Mason
Blissfield	Menominee Water Department
Bridgman	MHOG (Marion, Howell, Oceola and Genoa) Sewer & Water Authority
Buchanan	Michigan State University
Clare	Midland
Dowagiac	Milford
East Jordan	Monroe
Eaton Rapids	Munising
Elk Rapids	Muskegon
Escanaba Water Department	Negaunee-Ishpeming Authority
Fenton	New Buffalo
Fremont	Niles
Genesee County Water System	Plainfield Township
Gladstone Water Department	Plainwell
Grand Rapids	Saginaw
Gratiot Area Water Authority	Schoolcraft
Great Lakes Water Authority	Sparta
Harbor Springs	St. Clair
Hartford	St. Clair Water and Sewer Authority

Hastings	St. Ignace Water Treatment
Hillsdale	St. Johns
Holland Board of Public Works	St. Joseph
Howell	Standish
Huron Shore Reg. Util. Authority	Summit Township
Ionia	Traverse City
Jackson	Wakefield
Jonesville	Wayland
K I Sawyer	Wyoming
Kalamazoo

 

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. It has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective and inexpensive method of preventing decay. In fact, every $1 invested in fluoridation saves at least $38 in costs for dental treatment.

“Michigan consistently exceeds the CDC recommendations for community water supplies by having 90% of our population on community water systems accessing fluoridated water and this year, we had a 26% increase in the number of award recipients,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “These awards demonstrate the commitment to quality by these community water systems. Water fluoridation has demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime and benefits all residents.”

For more information about community water fluorination, visit the CDC website.

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