DDW-2024-008014

Instructions for Fluoride SMCL Notice--Tier 3
Template on Reverse

For any exceedance of the fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level SMCL, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 12 months after you learn
of the exceedance (R309-220-11), using the provided mandatory language and filling in the blanks. The Division of Drinking Water may have more stringent deadlines or other requirements.
Because fluoride at levels above the SMCL can permanently discolor children=s teeth, you are urged to issue this notice as soon as practical. Non-community systems that monitor for
fluoride (federal law does not require non-community systems to monitor) are encouraged to notify their consumers if they exceed the SMCL, especially at water systems serving children.
If you exceed the MCL of 4 mg/l, you must provide notice within 30 days of learning of the violation (R309-220-6(1)). See instructions for Fluoride MCL – Tier 2.

Community systems must use one of the following (R309-220-7(3)):

Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill

In addition, you must use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (R309-220-7(3)). Such methods could include newspapers,
e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must remain posted until the exceedance is resolved. If the exceedance has been resolved, you must post the
notice for at least one week (R309-220-7(2)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the CCR, as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (R309-220-7(4)), as well
as for a separate individual notice. The language on the template is mandatory and may not be modified, although you may add to the notice, as suggested below (R309-220-11).

Explaining the Situation

Use the following language, if applicable:

Fluoride contamination is rarely due to human activity. Fluoride occurs naturally in some areas and is found in high concentrations in the aquifer in our source water.

If the fluoride levels in the water have returned to below the SMCL, be sure to make this clear in your notice.

Corrective Actions

In your notice, you should describe corrective actions you took or are taking, if any. The bullet below describes one action commonly taken by water systems with fluoride SMCL exceedances.
Use this language, or develop your own:

We are continuing to monitor fluoride levels. We will inform you if they exceed the limit of 4 mg/l.

After Issuing the Notice

Make sure to send the Division of Drinking Water (PO Box 144830, SLC, UT 84114-4830) a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the public notice requirements
within ten days after issuing the notice (R309-105-16(3)).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Elevated Fluoride Levels Detected

This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children
drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The drinking water provided
by your community water system [name] has a fluoride concentration of [insert value] mg/l.

Dental fluorosis in its moderate or severe forms, may result in a brown staining and or pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt
from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining
and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older children and adults may safely
drink the water.

Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/l of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency=s drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone disease. Your drinking
water does not contain more than 4 mg/l of fluoride, but we=re required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water exceed 2 mg/l because of this cosmetic
dental problem.

For more information, please call [name of water system contact] of [name of community water system] at [phone number]. Some home water treatment units are also available to remove fluoride
from drinking water. To learn more about available home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. Water System ID#: __________. Date distributed: