The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced that 94 community water systems in Iowa have been awarded Water Fluoridation Quality Awards from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The award recognizes water systems that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2020. A total of 1,292 public water systems in 29 states received the award. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced that 94 community water systems in Iowa have been awarded Water Fluoridation Quality Awards from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The award recognizes water systems that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2020. A total of 1,292 public water systems in 29 states received the award.

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing cavities. Community water fluoridation is recognized by the CDC as one of the great 20th century public health achievements. ìIt is exciting to have 94 Iowa water systems recognized on a national level for their commitment to oral health,î stated Dr. Bob Russell, dental director for the Iowa Department of Public Health. ìI congratulate

all of the community water systems for their efforts to provide safe, dependable drinking water to our communities--including helping to prevent cavities using water fluoridation.î

2020 Iowa Awardees

Adel Municipal Water Works

Albert City Municipal Water Supply

Algona Municipal Utilities

Atlantic Municipal Utilities

Audubon Water Supply

Bellevue Municipal Utilities

Bennett Water Works

Boone Water Works

Britt Water Works

Burlington Municipal Water Works

Carlisle Water Supply

Casey Water Supply

Cedar Falls Municipal Water Utilities

Council Bluffs Water Works

Cresco Water Works

Creston Water Supply

Decorah Water Department

Denison Water Supply

Des Moines Water Works

Dexter Water Supply

Durant Water Supply

Eagle Grove Water Supply

Eddyville Municipal Water Department

Eldridge Water Supply

Elk Horn Municipal Water Works

Emmetsburg Municipal Water Department

Estherville Water Treatment Plant

Forest City Water Supply

Fort Madison Municipal Water Works

Garner Water Works

Glenwood Municipal Utilities

Glidden Water Supply

Griswold Water Supply

Guthrie Center Municipal Water Works

Hampton Municipal Water Works

Harlan Municipal Utilities

Hawarden Water Supply

Hiawatha Water Department

Huxley Water Works Department

Iowa American Water Co., Clinton District

Iowa American Water Co., Davenport District

Iowa City Water Department

Iowa Falls Water Department

Iowa Lakes Regional Water

Jefferson Water Department

Kalona Water Department

Keokuk Municipal Water Works

Lake Mills Municipal Water Department

Lamoni Municipal Utilities

Leon Water Supply

Logan Water Plant

Lone Tree Municipal Water System

Madrid Water Department

Mahaska Rural Water System, Inc.

Malvern Water Supply

Manchester Water Supply

Manilla Municipal Service Department

Maquoketa Municipal Water

Marshalltown Water Works

Mason City Water Department

Milford Municipal Utilities

Minden Water Supply

Mitchellville Water Supply

Nevada Water Supply

Newton Water Works

Orange City Municipal Water Department

Osage Municipal Water Supply

Osceola Water Works

Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department

Paullina Municipal Water Supply

Pella Water Works Department

Perry Municipal Water Works

Rathbun Regional Water Association, Inc.

Red Oak Water Supply

Regional Water

Rock Valley Water Supply

Scranton Water System

Shelby Water Supply

Sibley Public Water Supply

Sioux City Water Department

Slater Municipal Water Department

Sloan Water Supply

Solon Water Department

Spirit Lake Waterworks

Tama Water Supply

Tipton Water Supply

Van Meter Municipal Water Works

Ventura Water Works

Waterloo Water Works

Waverly Water Department

West Central Iowa Rural Water Assn., Boyer

West Central Iowa Rural Water Assn., Nishnabotna

Winterset Municipal Water Works

Xenia Rural Water District - Woodward

ìWater fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make in maintaining the oral health of its citizens. It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,î stated Casey Hannan, MPH, director for the CDC Division of Oral Health. ìFluoridation is also highly cost effective. Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $20 are saved in dental treatment costs.î

The CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures a community can take to prevent cavities and improve oral health. Community Water Fluoridation is supported by the American Cancer Society, American Dental Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Water Works Association, and over 100 national and international organizations as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing cavities in children and adults. Both Healthy People 2030 and Healthy Iowans 2021 have set goals to increase the number of people receiving optimally fluoridated water.

The Bureau of Oral and Health Delivery Systems at IDPH monitors the fluoride levels of Iowa communities and provides information and assistance to water supply professionals, healthcare professionals, and the public. IDPH supports CDC-approved fluoridation programs. To find the fluoridation status of Iowa counties and towns, visit My Waterís Fluoride here:†https://nccd.cdc.gov/doh_mwf/Default/Default.aspx