Sturbridge Treatment Plant Wins Water Fluoridation Quality Award

Veolia’s wastewater treatment plant in Sturbridge recently was given the Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January.

The CDC recognizes VNA’s investment in ensuring that every resident of the local community receives the benefit of good oral health.

"It's a great feeling knowing that part of your job every day is adding the right amount of Fluoride that is helping young kids dental health," said Hunter Kelley, operations and maintenance (O&M) Technician.

The CDC presents this Water Fluoridation Quality Award annually to public water systems that:

• Adjust the fluoride concentration of their drinking water
• Achieve a monthly average fluoride level that is in the optimal range for 12 consecutive months in a year
• Document their fluoride levels in CDC's Water Fluoridation Reporting System

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health strongly supports community water fluoridation as a safe, cost-effective and proven practice that promotes good oral health within our communities.

2020 was the 75th year of fluoridation of public water supplies in the United States. Today in Massachusetts, over four million people in 133 communities are receiving the benefits of community water fluoridation. A total of 1,523 public water systems in 29 states received this award, including 76 in Massachusetts.