Spartanburg Water awarded for more than 50 Years of Fluoridation
September 19, 2024
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) announced that the R.B. Simms Drinking Water Treatment Facility was recently honored with a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC for calendar year 2022). The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2022.
Spartanburg Water has been committed to fluoridation for more than 50 years. The latest studies from the CDC show that fluoridation prevents tooth decay in all age groups, not just children. Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the CDC as one of ten great public health achievements of the 20th Century. The CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable and safe measures a community can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.
The Community Water Fluoridation Award is given jointly by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recognize public water systems that have consistently adjusted the fluoride concentration in drinking water, starting in 1968.
“We are happy to receive this achievement award from our public health partners, and we recognize the ongoing importance of providing safe, high-quality water to our community,” said Ken Tuck, Director of Drinking Water Services for Spartanburg Water.
Despite the great strides made to improve the oral health of children, tooth decay is still the most common chronic childhood disease. If dental problems go untreated, they can lead to serious, long-term illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Through the fluoridation of our drinking water, Spartanburg Water aims to give children – and adults – a better chance at good oral health.
About Spartanburg Water
Spartanburg Water, an industry leading utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of nearly 200,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of more than 300 employees, each day it produces an average of 25 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 14 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community.
