Nearly two million Maryland residents will see a drop in the fluoride levels of their tap water as global conflict hits home in the local utility room. WSSC Water announced Tuesday that it is dialing back fluoride additives at its Potomac and Patuxent filtration plants, a move triggered by a tightening squeeze on global supply chains linked to the ongoing war involving Iran.
As one of the largest water and wastewater utilities in the United States, WSSC Water serves 1.9 million customers across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The utility confirmed it is lowering fluoride concentrations from the standard 0.7 milligrams per liter down to 0.4 milligrams per liter. Officials stressed that this is a temporary measure and does not compromise the overall safety or quality of the drinking water.
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The shortage stems from a volatile fluoridation market that has seen a sharp dip in domestic production. WSSC Water noted that a primary supplier based in Israel has faced major operational hurdles, further choking the available supply.
“This is a temporary adjustment driven solely by supply availability,” said Ben Thompson, WSSC Water’s director of production. “We remain committed to maintaining safe, high-quality drinking water and will restore optimal fluoride levels as soon as supply conditions stabilize.”
While WSSC Water scales back, neighboring systems are currently holding steady. The Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Washington Aqueduct, reported Wednesday that its operations remain normal.
“Despite reports of local fluoride supply disruptions, the Washington Aqueduct’s water treatment remains unaffected,” spokeswoman Cynthia Mitchell stated, adding that their water continues to meet all EPA safety standards.
The reduction comes at a time of heightened national debate regarding water additives. Supporters of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement have pushed for the total removal of fluoride from public systems, citing various health concerns.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously labeled the mineral as “industrial waste” linked to bone diseases and neurodevelopmental issues.
While the debate continues in the political sphere, federal regulators have also begun tightening oversight on other fronts. In October 2025, the FDA announced plans to restrict the sale of unapproved ingestible fluoride prescription products intended for children.
For now, WSSC Water says it will continue to receive fluoride shipments, just in smaller quantities. The utility plans to return to standard levels once the international supply chain stabilizes.
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