Supplier
CDC/NCCDPHP
Years Available
1998 to present
Periodicity
Annual
Mode of Collection
Census: reports on the fluoridation status of all community water systems.
Description
The Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS) is an online tool that helps states manage the quality of their water fluoridation programs. WFRS information is also the basis for national reports that describe the percentage of the U.S. population who receive fluoridated drinking water through community water systems.
Selected Content
Data for each water system in the WFRS includes basic demographic information, including utility name, address, population served, fluoridation status (e.g., not adjusted, adjusted, natural, variable, or consecutive), natural fluoride concentrations, counties and communities served, system type, and which systems buy or sell water to other systems. Water systems that adjust the fluoride of their water to the optimal level for decay prevention can also collect data to monitor fluoridation quality. This information includes average fluoride concentrations, results of daily testing, and laboratory split sample results. The dates of facility inspections, operator training, and other relevant information also can be included.
Population Covered
Community water systems in the United States.
Methodology
The WFRS system was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD). In July 2011, WFRS version 2.0 was implemented using entirely new program coding, improving the user interface, increasing security and reliability, and simplifying the business logic models. The WFRS data strategy and structure was modeled on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) to support exchange of data and updates on utility system configurations. The EPA tracks water systems in its SDWIS database through a unique SDWIS identification number. Using the same identification number for WFRS assures that the information in these two databases can be compared and updated. State fluoridation managers enter data into WFRS and generate reports that can be used to assure program quality.
Response Rates and Sample Size
There are about 54,000 community water systems included in WRFS. Of these, about 18,400 systems are listed as either having fluoride levels that are adjusted, are naturally occurring, or are consecutively fluoridated (purchased from a neighboring system that has fluoridated water).
References
Water Fluoridation Data and Statistics:
