Community Water Fluoridation and Drinking Water
Community water fluoridation (CWF) is a public health intervention that makes fluoride accessible to everyone. Catalyst works to ensure proper fluoridation in Virginia's public drinking water so everyone can access this inexpensive and effective intervention.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and drinking fluoridated water can reduce tooth decay by as much as 25% in children and adults. In the United States, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood.
How does CWF work?
Public water systems (your water utility) adjust the level of fluoride, to the recommended amount, in drinking water supplies. So long as folks drink their tap water, everyone in the community can benefit from CWF. In Virginia, nearly 6.7 million Virginias benefit from fluoridated drinking water.
There is a wealth of information available about fluoride, CWF and drinking water. Below are resources you can access to learn more about fluoride, drinking water, and the best ways to communicate about it in your community. Click on the image to access the document.
Resources (Click in the image to download)
Join the Rapid Response Team
Catalyst coordinates the Water Fluoridation Rapid Response Team alongside the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and other state partners to help localities maintain existing, or begin new, water fluoridation practices. These efforts include responding to fluoridation challenges at the local level and promoting VDH programs to deliver training and education, and provide funding to localities to improve water system equipment.