At approximately noon on Monday, December 28, the Hot Springs Utilities Department Water Division began introducing fluoride into the potable water system in order to comply with State of Arkansas Act 197, enacted in 2011.
Implementation and calibration of equipment, installed using grant funds, was completed with on-site assistance from Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) personnel. Fluoride levels were monitored using city equipment and confirmed by ADH metering.
Arkansas Act 197 mandates that any water system serving at least 5,000 people maintain a fluoride content established by ADH. The act further requires that costs to implement fluoridation be supplied by sources other than tax receipts or revenue collected by the water system. Following notification from ADH of a potential source of funding, the city applied for and was awarded a grant from Delta Dental for purchase and installation of equipment necessary to add fluoride to the potable water supply. The grant required that the project be completed by the end of 2015.
Information regarding the inclusion of fluoride in the water system will be printed in the notes section of January utility bills and publicized through local media, social media and the city website, cityhs.net . To obtain additional information about fluoridation of potable water systems in Arkansas, contact ADH at 501-661-2623 or visit healthy.arkansas.gov .