BY JARRETT WHITENER
What it means
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Levels of fluoride
Highest level of fluoride detected
Maximum level of fluoride allowed: 4 mg/L
For people looking to remove any water additives, filtration options are available, but Yeggy said it is important to ensure that the product actually filters the specific contaminants a homeowner is trying to get rid of. “Even if you know you have chloramine or fluoride in it, I would still say go ahead and test your water,” he said. “Any treatment device that you select is going to be designed to remove multiple contaminants.” Residents who may have concerns about the quality of their water can request water testing to ensure water safety. These tests can be requested from water utilities and third parties. Water quality reports for each utility are required to be sent to customers each year, and can be found on the utility websites.
While additives such as fluoride have been proven to have health benefits, including the mineralization of the teeth, overconsumption of the mineral can lead to health concerns, mainly in individuals whose teeth are still growing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The amount of fluoride within the water at utility systems is required to fall below 4 mg/L, meaning fluoride added to water is unlikely to cause health issues, according to CDC data. Many of the health concerns related to drinking water arise within the individual home. Utility companies are required to regulate water up to the meter, meaning any issues up to that point are the responsibility of the corporation, Lombard said. Home systems such as water softeners can poten- tially strip disinfectants out of the water, increasing the risk of algae growth, he said. Other contaminants that may cause concern are copper and lead. While these metals can be toxic,
Green Valley Special Utility District 0.19 mg/L
San Antonio Water System 3.21 mg/L
Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation 0.9 mg/L
Universal City
0.57 mg/L
SOURCE: SCHERTZ SEGUIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION, GREEN VALLEY SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT, SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM, CITY OF UNIVERSAL CITY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lombard said the Safe Drinking Water Act helps limit the materials used in piping, and most homes constructed will not have copper or lead piping. “In our area, generally, we don’t have lead or galvanized piping going up to the home,” Lombard said.
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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION
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