448 Illinois water systems awarded for fluoride levels - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

448 Illinois water systems awarded for fluoride levels

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency awarded 448 community water systems for keeping up state-mandated fluoride levels for every month in 2012.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long acknowledged the public benefits of fluoridation of water systems," said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "Drinking fluoridated water from birth can reduce tooth decay by 40 to 65 percent."

Over 150 of those awarded during this year's Illinois Section American Water Works Association Conference and Expo have met standards of 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million for at least ten consecutive years. One has met the standards for at least thirty years.

In addition to those awarded, 84 other communities got honorable mentions for meeting the standards for 11 months out of the year.

In Winnebago County, the following community water systems were honored:

• Cherry Valley Water Department - at least 10 consecutive years
• Legend Lakes Water Association
• Loves Park Water Department - at least five consecutive years
• North Park Water Department - at least 20 consecutive years
• Otter Creek Lake Utilities District - at least 10 consecutive years
• Prairie Road Pump Corporation
  
• Rockford Water Department - at least 25 consecutive years
• Utilities Inc. Conventry Creek Subdivision - at least five consecutive years
• Utilities Inc. Coventry Hills - at least five consecutive years
• Westlake Utilities Service - at least five consecutive years
• Wildwood Utilities Company - at least five consecutive years
• Winnebago Water Department - at least 10 consecutive years

The following Winnebago County systems received honorable mentions:

• Bradley Heights Subdivision
• Durand Water Department
• Rockton Water Department
• Sheridan Grove Subdivision