Step 1: Know what is in your water now
In 2025 Florida amended its statute on public water systems so that additives must meet the state's definition of a water quality additive (Section 403.859, Florida Statutes; see the Senate bill summary for CS/SB 700). Miami-Dade WASD reports it stopped adding fluoride effective May 29, 2025. Other utilities have announced their own changes. Fluoride can also be naturally present in source water.
Your utility's annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) lists fluoride results. A recent report reflects current practice better than an older one. Private well owners need their own test.
Step 2: Decide what you want, and where
This guide does not take a position on fluoride for or against; that is a personal decision, and questions about dental or medical effects belong with your dentist or doctor. If you want lower fluoride, most people only care about drinking and cooking water, which is why a point-of-use system at the kitchen is the common choice rather than whole-home treatment.
Treatment types used for fluoride
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis | A common point-of-use method; certified models list fluoride under NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Activated alumina | Specialized media used for fluoride; performance depends on pH and contact time |
| Distillation | Reduces many dissolved minerals; slow and uses energy |
| Standard activated carbon | Built for chlorine, taste and odor; not a fluoride method |
Living Water offers alkaline reverse osmosis under-sink systems. As with any system, check the exact model's listing for fluoride before relying on it. See alkaline vs standard RO.
How to verify a fluoride claim
- Get the full model number of the system and its membrane.
- Look it up in an independent certifier's listing, such as the NSF database for drinking water treatment units.
- Confirm "fluoride" appears as a certified reduction claim, not just in marketing.
- Check the conditions: some claims assume particular pressure or water chemistry.
Keep it working
RO membranes and pre-filters wear over time, and reduction drops when they are overdue. A TDS meter reading at the RO faucet compared with the tap is an easy check between services. See how often to replace RO filters and RO operating costs.
Questions to ask a provider
- Which exact model and membrane are you proposing, and where is its fluoride listing?
- What pressure does my home have, and does the system need a booster pump?
- What is the replacement schedule for pre-filters, membrane and post-filter?
- Does the alkaline stage change any certified claims?
- How will I check performance between services?
Jorge gives you an itemized quote after the free test, with these answers in writing.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/403.859
https://flsenate.gov/Committees/billsummaries/2025/html/700
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-supply-and-treatment.page
https://www.epa.gov/ccr/ccr-information-consumers
https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist