While there is naturally occurring fluoride in our water, Irvine Ranch Water District does not  add fluoride to its drinking water supplies. The fluoride content in our groundwater averages 0.46 parts per million, while the level in water imported by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) from the Colorado River and Northern California averages 0.19 parts per million.

Recently, the MWD Board of Directors decided to begin adding fluoride at their water treatment facilities by mid-2007. This decision was made at the request of public health officials to help reduce the occurrence of dental cavities. MWD is a supplier of treated surface water to IRWD. In addition to receiving water from MWD, IRWD also obtains water from local groundwater supplies, primarily the Dyer Road Well Field. During normal well field operations this water naturally contains fluoride at a level close to the state's recommended range to prevent cavities. Therefore, IRWD is not planning to fluoridate its well water. If you have any questions about the MWD fluoridation policy, please contact MWD at (213) 217-5709. Questions regarding IRWD's fluoridation policy should be directed to IRWD at (949) 453-5500.

If you are concerned about your children's requirement for fluoride, it is suggested that you provide your dentist or pediatrician with the fluoride content figures above so that a supplement can be prescribed if your health care professional feels it is warranted. Watch your "Pipelines" newsletter which comes with your water bill, your Annual Water Quality Report, and this web page for new developments on this topic.

Water Quality Decision Tree