The system that adds fluoride to Richmond’s drinking water is fully functional again for the first time since the water plant failed in January, officials announced Monday.

The flooding that occurred at the facility on Jan. 6 knocked the fluoridation process offline, a side effect of the water crisis that wasn’t fully clear until last month when the city had to explain why it had accidentally added excess fluoride to the water as it attempted repairs.

“The return to normal operations means fluoride is once again being added to drinking water and will enter the distribution system by Tuesday, May 20,” the city’s Department of Public Utilities said in a news release. “The fluoride system is now fully operational and all system checks have been completed.”

Virginia regulations recommend adding fluoride to drinking water to promote dental health and prevent cavities, but a brief absence of fluoride likely would not have significant health impacts. 

Too much fluoride in drinking water can create health hazards. In April, the city announced a higher-than-normal amount of fluoride had gotten into the water during the installation of a new fluoride pump. City and state officials have said the water remained safe to drink, but state water officials have dinged the city for not clearly explaining the situation to residents, regulators and neighboring counties that purchase drinking water from Richmond.

City officials said its regional partners and the Virginia Department of Health have been onsite at the water plant to monitor the work to reset the fluoridation process and recalibrate the systems that monitor fluoride levels in the water.

“The drinking water leaving the City of Richmond’s water treatment plant has remained safe for consumption,” DPU said in its release. "DPU will continue to monitor the fluoride levels and perform sampling."

Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org