Fluoride in U.S. Drinking Water
Health-based violation data for Fluoride from EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Covers all community water systems with violations on record.
Fluoride has been found in violation of EPA standards in 241 water systems across 25 states, with 7,364 total health-based violations recorded. The most affected states are Texas, New Mexico, Virginia.
Fluoride is regulated under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and associated treatment technique requirements for public water systems. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) tracks every recorded violation nationwide and links it back to the specific public water system (PWSID), violation type, and begin date.
Across the United States, PlainEnviro's joined extract contains 7,364 health-based violation records carrying Fluoride (EPA code 1025) across 241 active community water systems in 25 states. Raw record counts are highest in Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, with Texas accounting for 2,990 records across 39 systems. EPA health-effect summaries describe the specific exposure concerns that drove the federal standard.
A health-based violation does not mean residents were necessarily harmed, it means the contaminant exceeded the federal MCL in a compliance sample, triggering notification and remediation requirements. States and utilities maintain primary enforcement responsibility. To check the status of a specific water system, request its most recent Consumer Confidence Report or consult the EPA's Drinking Water Watch portal for the corresponding state.
What are the health effects of this contaminant?
While fluoride at low levels strengthens teeth, excessive fluoride in drinking water can cause skeletal and dental fluorosis with long-term exposure.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult your doctor for personalized health guidance
Violations by State
States ranked by number of health-based violations for Fluoride.
| # | State | Violations | Systems Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 2,990 | 39 |
| 2 | New Mexico | 637 | 13 |
| 3 | Virginia | 582 | 4 |
| 4 | California | 414 | 16 |
| 5 | Missouri | 278 | 4 |
| 6 | Arizona | 208 | 9 |
| 7 | Georgia | 86 | 6 |
| 8 | Washington | 52 | 3 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 48 | 1 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 34 | 15 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 28 | 5 |
| 12 | Idaho | 15 | 2 |
| 13 | Montana | 13 | 1 |
| 14 | Wyoming | 6 | 1 |
| 15 | Kansas | 4 | 1 |
| 16 | Alabama | 3 | 2 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 3 | 1 |
| 18 | Colorado | 2 | 1 |
| 19 | Illinois | 2 | 1 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 2 | 2 |
| 21 | Delaware | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | Iowa | 1 | 1 |
| 23 | Massachusetts | 1 | 1 |
| 24 | Oregon | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | Utah | 1 | 1 |
Most Affected Water Systems
Top 50 water systems by number of Fluoride health-based violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fluoride in my water?
Fluoride has been detected in violation of EPA health standards in 241 water systems across 25 states. To check your specific utility, look up your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - water systems are required to disclose all violations.
How many water systems have Fluoride violations?
EPA SDWIS records show 241 community water systems with health-based Fluoride violations, totaling 7,364 violations. These represent cases where the contaminant exceeded the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
Which states have the most Fluoride violations?
The states with the most Fluoride violations are: Texas (2,990 violations), New Mexico (637 violations), Virginia (582 violations), California (414 violations), Missouri (278 violations).
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About This Data
Violation data is from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Only health-based violations are shown, these include Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Treatment Technique (TT) violations. Monitoring and reporting violations are excluded. Data may not reflect the most current enforcement actions.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SDWIS Federal Reporting Services
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.