FLUORIDATION

Key Words and Concepts

Day Tank – A chemical storage tank used to store a relatively small volume of mixed treatment
chemical. Chemical feed pumps draw from the day tank.

Gravimetric Feeder – A dry chemical feeder used to deliver a specific weight of chemical over a specific
period of time.

Volumetric Feeder – A dry chemical feeder used to deliver a specific volume of chemical over a specific
period of time.

Fluorosis – Staining or pitting of the teeth due to excessive amounts of fluoride in the water supply.

Mottling – Staining or pitting of the teeth due to excessive amounts of fluoride in the water supply.

Sodium Fluoride – A dry chemical used in the fluoridation of drinking water. Commonly used in
saturators.

Fluorosilicic Acid – A liquid solution that is a strong acid, used to fluoridate drinking water.

Sodium Fluorosilicate – A white or yellowish white crystalline powder use to fluoridate drinking water.

Saturated Solution – A liquid solution that cannot dissolve any more of a particular chemical.

Saturator – A piece of chemical feed equipment used to feed sodium fluoride by creating a saturated
solution having a constant fluoride concentration.

SPADNS Test Method – A lab test used to determine the concentration of the fluoride ion in water by
using a chemical reaction to develop a color. SPADNS is the chemical reagent.

Fluoridation Facilities

Fluoride Chemicals

Fluoride chemicals are added to the water supply using equipment and facilities similar to those used
for adding treatment chemicals.

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There are three compounds water utilities use for fluoridation:
• Sodium fluoride
• Fluorosilicic acid
• Sodium fluorosilicate

Sodium Fluoride

Sodium Fluoride is available as fine or coarse white crystals in 100 lb sacks, 400 lb drums, or in bulk. This
compound was the first form of fluoride added to the water supply and remains in wide use to this day.
The solubility of sodium fluoride is almost constant at 40 g NaF/L (4% solution at pH 7.0).

Fluorosilicic Acid

Also called hydrofluorosilicic acid, fluorosilicic acid is a liquid that is highly acidic and has a pale yellow
color. The pH ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 and can cause a reduction in pH in water that are low in alkalinity.
It can be delivered in 13 or 55 gallon drums or in bulk by tanker truck.

Sodium Fluorosilicate

The least expensive of the three commonly used fluoridation chemicals is sodium fluorosilicate. It
comes as a white or yellowish-white crystalline powder. It is not as soluble as sodium fluoride and its
solubility depends on water temperature. Solution pH – 3.0 to 4.0.

Chemical Feeders

The dry and solution feeders are similar to the systems used for feeding sodium and calcium
hypochlorite.

Regulations

Fluoride Regulations

Federal regulations do not require that water utilities add fluoride to the water supply. The Safe
Drinking Water Act only authorizes the USEPA to restrict contaminants in drinking water, not mandate
addition of chemical contaminants. States can require systems to add fluoride for public health reasons.
Most states require systems serving municipalities to add fluoride while other state strongly encourage
its addition. Even other states allow water system customers to vote as to whether or not they want
fluoride added to their water supply. The USEPA has set the primary fluoride MCL at 4 mg/L. The
secondary MCL is set at 2 mg/L

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Fluoride Process Operation

Dry Feeders

Regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance are required to keep dry feeders operating properly. The
chemical delivery mechanisms (belts, rollers, discs, screws) will wear over time so the operator must
monitor this and replace worn parts as required to prevent equipment failure. The operator should also
periodically check the calibration of the dry feeder. To perform a calibration check, perform the
following steps:
1. Place a pan below the feeder’s measuring mechanism to catch the dry chemical
2. Collect the dry chemical for 5 minutes and weigh
3. Repeat several times and compare results (< 10% variance)
4. Divide weight by time and compare to feeder setting

Saturators

The operator is responsible for maintaining at least 6 inches of Sodium Fluoride in an online saturator.
Only crystalline sodium fluoride should be used in a downflow saturator as the powdered form will
cause clogging. Any form of sodium fluoride can be used in an upflow saturator - crystalline grade is
normally used to reduce dust. Sodium fluorosilicate should not be used in a saturator because it will not
dissolve and form a 4% solution the same way sodium fluoride does. The saturator tank will need to be
cleaned a few times each year to remove hard water scaling. The rate of this hard scale buildup will
dictate how often this cleaning is required.

Fluoride Injection Point

Fluoride is normally injected into the water after it has gone through the entire treatment process, just
before the clearwell. It should not be added with coagulants or lime softening chemicals as this will
cause precipitation of the fluoride compound.

Chemical Storage

Keeping a clean and neat chemical storage area is important as it will reduce safety hazards and help
prevent confusing one chemical with another and feeding the wrong one. Partially filled bags of dry
chemical should be dumped into the hopper rather than being stored. Bags should be stored off the
floor on pallets near the hopper.

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Fluoridation Operating Problems

Problem Cause/Solution
Variable fluoride concentration Recalibrate the dry feeder
Alum interference with lab test

Improper chemical level insaturator

Low fluoride concentration
Incomplete mixing in mix tank

Groundwater blending
High fluoride concentration Polyphosphate interference with SPADNS test

Natural fluoride not considered

Danger of fluoride poisoning (several cases of Operator error or feed system malfunction
acute fluoride poisoning causing illness and even
death) Trained operators and close monitoring

Control Tests

Daily Control Testing

The water source should be test daily for to determine the current fluoride level in the supply water.
These results are taken into account when the additional fluoride dose is calculated. The total fluoride
level should be monitored daily to determine the actual level being delivered to the water system
customers.

Continuous Control Testing

Online monitors that measure and record the fluoride levels on a continual basis are a good way to
ensure the public is protected from over feeding fluoride. These monitors can sound alarms that
indicate when the Fluoride level increases to a concentration that requires corrective action. Operators
should not rely on automation and neglect testing.

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Safety Precautions

Inhalation

Powdered fluoride compounds create much more dust than the crystalline form does. Treatment plant
managers should consider the use of the crystalline form to reduce fluoride dust and risk to operators.
NIOSH approved dust masks should be worn when handling dry fluoride compounds. Chemical storage
rooms should be well ventilated.

Ingestion

Accidental ingestion can occur through contaminated food or drink. Fluoride compounds can be
mistaken for sugar or salt because of their similar appearance. Personnel should not be allowed to eat
or drink in the fluoride feed room to prevent inadvertent ingestion. Also, personnel should wash their
hands thoroughly after handling fluoride compounds.

Bodily Contact

Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when handling fluoride chemicals which
includes:
• Chemical goggles
• NIOSH approved respirator
• Long rubber gloves
• Rubber apron
• Rubber boots
• Clothing that covers skin
• Bandages over cuts or sores

Acid Handling

Fluorosilicic acid can cause harm in several ways. It will cause serious skin burns. It poses an inhalation
hazard that can irritate or damage the lungs. Extreme care must be taken when working with or around
fluorosilicic acid. Operators should be familiar with the location and proper operation of emergency
wash stations.

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