Since 2007, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District has been receiving fluoridated water from its water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District. The Metropolitan Water District adjusts the natural fluoride concentrations in the water, which currently ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 parts per million, to a target dose of 0.7 to 0.8 parts per million, the recommended dose for optimal dental health. Metropolitan-treated fluoridated water is used by many North San Diego County communities, including Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Rainbow, Valley Center, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Olivenhain.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found both in surface water, water from snowmelt, rivers and streams, and groundwater. It has no taste or smell and used in many consumer dental products, including toothpaste and fluoride mouthwashes.

Choices for City of Carlsbad customers

Drinking fluoridated water is safe and healthy. City of Carlsbad customers who prefer other water options should consider bottled water or home water treatment systems. Many home treatment systems remove fluoride from tap water, including those that use reverse osmosis. For a list of systems that reduce or remove fluoride, visit the NSF product and service listing page.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Community Water Fluoridation) and the American Dental Association have more information on the benefits of fluoride in the water.