Charleston Water System won’t be adding trace amounts of fluoride to tap water until June or July 2009, when a storage tank at the Hanahan Water Treatment Plant is scheduled to be replaced.

Charleston Water System adds fluoride to treated drinking water at levels recommended by the American Dental Association and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to help prevent tooth decay.

The typical level of fluoride in Charleston’s tap water is 0.8 parts per million (0.2 parts per million of fluoride is naturally occurring in the water, and 0.6 parts per million is added during the treatment process).

Customers who have questions about getting enough fluoride during this suspension of water fluoridation are encouraged to consult their dentist.

Charleston Water System serves the greater Charleston area, including downtown, West Ashley, Hollywood, Meggett, Ravenel, Lincolnville, James Island, Folly Beach, North Charleston, Daniel Island, Cainhoy, Hanahan, Sullivan’s Island, and Ladson. The St. Johns Water Company (including Kiawah and Seabrook Islands) and the Crowfield area of Goose Creek also use Charleston’s water. Charleston Water System also sells water to Mt. Pleasant and the Isle of Palms.

Information from the Charleston Water System. For more information, please visit their website .