Temporary Suspension of Fluoride Adjustment

Current status

Fluoride levels have not consistently met the recommended target since 2025. On August 3, 2026, the City temporarily took mechanical fluoride feed offline at Station 1 and Lawton Valley. Mechanical fluoride adjustment is temporarily suspended.

What this means

Without fluoride adjustment, tap water provides less protection against tooth decay. This fluoride condition does not require boiling or bottled water and does not change how customers should use tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or other normal uses.

As of this notice, Newport's drinking water meets all state and federal safety standards. Fluoride levels in Newport's water are well below the 0.7 mg/L level that RIDOH and CDC recommend for preventing tooth decay.

What customers should do

• Continue normal use of tap water.
• Continue regular dental care and use fluoride toothpaste as recommended.
• Parents and caregivers should ask a dentist or pediatrician whether a fluoride supplement is appropriate for their child. Do not begin a supplement without professional guidance.

Why Newport took the feed systems offline

Newport has experienced ongoing operational and supply challenges that prevented consistent achievement of target fluoride levels. Available products and feed alternatives have not met the City's requirements for quality, dosing consistency, safe handling, reliable supply, and compatibility with existing facilities.

Newport's existing equipment was designed for dry sodium fluorosilicate. Converting both plants to a bulk liquid acid feed system would require substantial facility modifications, chemical segregation, spill containment, ventilation, emergency safety equipment, compatible piping and instrumentation, operator training, and emergency response capability. It would also create permanent operating, maintenance, safety, and staffing obligations. The City has not identified a practical or funded pathway for that conversion.

What Newport is doing

• Evaluate approved fluoride products and feed alternatives that can be used safely and reliably at both plants.
• Coordinate with the Rhode Island Department of Health on treatment status, reporting, and customer communication.
• Continue monthly operating reports and identify the fluoride treatment systems as OFF while they remain temporarily offline.
• Resume mechanical fluoride adjustment when an approach meets the City's quality, safety, procurement, facility, and reliability requirements. No restart date has been confirmed.

Where this stands

1. CompleteFluoride feed systems taken offline at Station 1 and Lawton Valley (August 3, 2026).
2. CompleteWebsite notice published and sitewide service advisory posted (August 3 and August 6, 2026).
3. In progressDirect mail notice to all Newport Water customers.
4. In progressEvaluation of fluoride products and feed alternatives against City requirements.
5. OngoingCoordination with the Rhode Island Department of Health (written guidance received July 28, 2026).
6. Not scheduledResumption of fluoride adjustment. A restart date has not been set.

Status as of August 6, 2026. This tracker is updated as the program moves.

Regulatory coordination

In its written response dated July 28, 2026, RIDOH advised that the temporary suspension does not require engineering plans or other submittals unless the change affects treatment plant flow or introduces new fixtures. RIDOH recommended notifying all consumers within 30 days and continuing monthly operating reports, with fluoride treatment noted as OFF, while the feed systems remain offline. This notice is issued on the first day of the suspension. The City is providing this notice for transparency and is following RIDOH guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Updates

• August 6, 2026: Sitewide service advisory posted. Program status tracker added to this page.
• August 3, 2026: Mechanical fluoride feed systems at Station 1 and Lawton Valley were taken offline. Customer notice issued.
• 2025: Fluoride levels did not consistently meet the recommended target.