Highlights
We are dedicated to providing safe drinking water, conducting over 60,000 tests annually to ensure high water quality.
We aim to surpass the regulatory standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) by adopting even more stringent internal water quality goals.
We support the fluoridation of public water supplies as recommended by multiple health organizations.
We are committed to ongoing research and keeping the community informed about developments in drinking water treatment.
Our Commitment to Water Quality
HBPW is committed to providing safe drinking water for our community. Water quality is continually tested by lab operators to ensure water is safe to consume. Our Water Treatment Plant’s state-certified laboratory and independent third-party laboratories perform over 60,000 tests per year. These rigorous tests ensure the highest quality water to our customers.
We are constantly striving to achieve water quality that is better than what regulations require and have adopted water quality goals that are more stringent than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) regulations and standards.
Why Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in all water; however, the amount is usually not enough to prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride is proven to protect teeth from cavities by rebuilding and strengthening tooth enamel. When sugars or carbohydrates are consumed, bacteria produce acid that weakens tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Water fluoridation provides consistent low levels of fluoride to reduce tooth decay.
Leading health organizations recommend all public drinking water supplies contain low levels of fluoride to provide a barrier against tooth decay. The current recommended level of fluoride concentration in water for public health benefits is 0.7 mg/L. Water operators closely monitor these levels daily. The recommended level of 0.7 mg/L is well below the maximum allowable level of 4.0 mg/L that is set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
In 1945 Grand Rapids, MI was the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water system.
We Support Recommendations from Leading Health Experts
The American Water Works Association (AWWA), World Health Organization (WHO), American Medical Association (AMA), Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA), and Canadian Dental Association (CDA), all recommend the fluoridation of public water supplies as a public health benefit. HBPW supports the application of fluoride in a responsible, effective, and reliable manner that includes monitoring and control of fluoride levels mandated by state, and/or federal laws.
Ongoing Research
HBPW supports regular reviews of the most current research on fluoride and the positions of the medical and dental communities. We are committed to keeping our community informed of developments related to drinking water treatment decisions.
Resources
Water Quality Report
Learn more about your water in HBPW’s most recent Water Quality Report.
Fluoridation of Public Drinking Water
March 20, 2025 - State of Michgian memo about Fluoridation of Public Drinking Water