Yorktown Commended for Fluoridating Its Water

Yorktown has been recognized by Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler and the Westchester County Board of Health for treating their drinking water supply with fluoride.

The Yorktown Consolidated Water District, along with six other Westchester water suppliers received certificates of appreciation. 

"Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure available to prevent tooth decay in both adults and children," Amler said. "It is safe, effective and inexpensive and it allows all residents of a community, regardless of their ability to pay for routine dental care, to benefit from the significant protection that fluoride offers."

Amler said water fluoridation saves money by reducing the cost of dental treatment among children and youth.

"Studies also have shown it can reduce tooth decay by 29 percent in children and by 25 percent in adults," she said. "And it’s been proven safe at the levels allowed in public water supplies."

Earlier this year, Yorktown temporarily discontinued fluoridation because of maintenance at the Catskill and Amawalk facilities. In January, town officials held an informational hearing about fluoridation and voted to continue to add fluoride to the town’s water supply.

The seven water suppliers who received certificates were Northern Westchester Joint Water Works, New Castle Stanwood Water District, Scarsdale Water Department, White Plains Water Bureau, Ossining Water Department, Westchester Joint Water Works and Yorktown Consolidated Water District #1.

They were recognized for maintaining and upgrading their fluoridation equipment. 

In all, 83 percent of Westchester residents receive fluoridated water, either directly or indirectly from these suppliers, or from other water suppliers that draw from the New York City aqueducts, which are fluoridated by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, according to officials.

Amler said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ranked community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter