Kewaskum Transitions to a Chlorine Water Treatment System, Removing Fluoride

The Village of Kewaskum has officially removed fluoride from its water supply following the approval of the board at the January 20 village meeting.
The decision was driven by multiple factors, including the presence of naturally occurring fluoride in the water, alternative sources of fluoride available to residents, and the financial upkeep associated with the old treatment system.
It was mentioned that Kewaskum was one of only two municipalities in the state that had not yet transitioned from a fluoride-treated water system to a chlorine system.
The Public Works Department stated the village has naturally occurring fluoride levels ranging from 0.18 to 0.25 parts per million (ppm) that will remain in village water even after switching systems. The board also highlighted that residents can still obtain fluoride through common sources such as toothpaste and various foods.
Another key point that was discussed was the cost associated with maintaining fluoride in the water supply. With the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requiring system upgrades for water disinfection, keeping fluoride in place would have added additional expenses to ensure separation from the disinfection process.
These factors led to the decision to make the switch and join the majority of other municipalities in the state.
The Village has successfully transitioned to the new chlorine water system and has eliminated fluoride from the water supply.