How to Remove Fluoride from Water

Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical or dental advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making changes to your water consumption or treatment system.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks, soil, and groundwater. Many public water systems add it in small, regulated amounts to help reduce tooth decay. While this practice benefits millions of people, some prefer to limit or remove fluoride for personal, health, or environmental reasons.

Understanding both the benefits and potential risks can help you make an informed decision about your drinking water.

Understanding fluoride: A history of fluoride in drinking water

Public water fluoridation began in the 1940s after research showed that small fluoride concentrations helped reduce cavities in children. Today, about 200 million Americans receive fluoridated water through their community systems.

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends a concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to prevent tooth decay. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4.0 mg/L to protect against overexposure.

Levels vary across regions. Some areas naturally contain higher fluoride concentrations due to local geology, while others rely on municipal water treatment to maintain recommended levels.

To find your local concentration, review your area’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or visit the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).

Typical fluoride levels:

• Natural groundwater: 0.1–1.5 mg/L
• Municipal systems: approximately 0.7 mg/L
• EPA regulatory limit: 4.0 mg/L

Learn more about where your drinking water comes from and how it’s treated in your area.

Concerns about fluoride and top filtration methods for removing it from water

Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support community fluoridation as safe and effective for dental health. However, some people remain concerned about overexposure, especially when natural fluoride levels exceed recommendations.

High intake can increase the risk of dental fluorosis, a cosmetic enamel change, and may raise questions for those with certain thyroid or kidney conditions. If you prefer to reduce fluoride in your water, there are several proven filtration methods that can help.

• Reverse osmosis (RO): This process pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes up to 95% of dissolved solids, including fluoride. It’s one of the most effective and commonly used options for both home and workplace settings.
• Activated alumina: A granular medium that adsorbs fluoride ions as water passes through. It performs best when the water’s pH is slightly acidic, around 5–6.
• Bone char carbon: Produced from heat-treated animal bone, bone char attracts fluoride and heavy metals through adsorption. It’s found in specialty filtration cartridges.
• Distillation: Water is boiled and condensed into vapor, leaving fluoride and other impurities behind. This method achieves near-total fluoride removal but requires time and energy.
• Anion exchange: Used mainly in commercial or engineered systems, this process swaps negatively charged fluoride ions with harmless chloride ions. It requires ongoing resin regeneration to maintain efficiency.

Standard activated carbon filters, such as those in most refrigerators and pitchers, do not remove fluoride because fluoride ions are not volatile or easily captured by carbon media.

No. Boiling water does not remove fluoride. In fact, evaporation slightly concentrates fluoride as water volume decreases. To reduce fluoride levels, use one of the specialized filtration methods above.

Deciding whether to remove fluoride depends on your personal health goals and comfort level. Many households rely on the regulated levels in municipal water for their dental benefits, while others prefer additional control through filtration.

Before installing a system:

• Review your Consumer Confidence Report for fluoride concentration.
• Discuss your options with a dentist or healthcare professional.
• Maintain good oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

If you want to limit fluoride without installing a filter, consider other sources of drinking water:

• Bottled water: Fluoride levels vary by brand. Check the label or request the manufacturer’s water quality report.
• Rainwater harvesting: Usually fluoride-free, though it must be filtered and disinfected before use.
• Home testing kits: These allow you to monitor fluoride, pH, and total dissolved solids between annual water reports.

For more on water safety, read How clean is restaurant water? and Is fridge water filtered?

Culligan Quench offers bottleless water dispensers and filtration systems that reduce fluoride and other contaminants while providing clean, great-tasting water for your team.

• Advanced filtration: Multi-stage reverse osmosis effectively removes fluoride, chlorine, and lead.
• Custom options: Choose under-sink, countertop, or point-of-use coolers for your workspace.
• Sustainability benefits: Eliminate single-use plastic bottles and reduce waste.
• Professional service: Expert installation, maintenance, and scheduled filter replacements.

Request a free estimate to learn how Culligan Quench can help you achieve your hydration and sustainability goals.