Six local municipalities have been given awards for water quality.
St. Joseph, Niles, Buchanan, New Buffalo, Cassopolis and Benton Charter Township have been given a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.
In total, there were 69 water systems awarded throughout the state.
“Michigan consistently exceeds the CDC recommendations for community water supplies by having 90 percent of our population on community water systems accessing fluoridated water,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “These awards demonstrate the commitment to quality by these community systems. Water fluoridation has demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime and benefits all residents.”
The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout calendar year 2021. A total of 1,394 water systems in 28 states received the award.
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.
For more information about community water fluorination, visit the CDC website.
