Natick’s year of water hell continues, as the town estimates that in mid-October it will run out of the sodium fluoride it adds during water treatment to help improve oral health in kids.
The town says drinking water suppliers nationwide are running into such issues due to supply chain issues with sourcing the inorganic chemical compound.
Once Natick’s supply runs out, the town won’t have any to add to its water until likely December. “The Town is diligently pursuing all options for resupply,” according to a statement, in which it says the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and other government agencies are attempting to help water suppliers.
The fluoride news is the latest in series of water-related nightmares in Natick this year, including elevated PFAS (forever chemicals) in the drinking water, a flooding Charles River, and nasty algae in Lake Cochituate. A watering ban on non-essential outdoor use put in place this past spring remains in effect.
In Natick’s drinking water, the town reports that “the fluoride level is adjusted to an optimal level averaging 0.7 ppm to improve oral health in children. At this level, it is safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless.” Natick points to Centers for Disease Control content about fluoride safety.
Contact the Natick Public Works Water/Sewer Division at 508-647-6557 or via email at water@natickma.org if you have questions.
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