Fluoridation Changes to Water Service

Project Update: Fluoridation to Resume April 2, 2024

Fluoridation of TVWD's larger service area will resume on April 2, 2024. Depending on your location inside the service area, water may take 10-12 days to reach normal fluoride levels. During this time, your water will increase in fluoridation as incoming water to the service area has fluoride added and non-fluoridated water is consumed from the water system. 

Construction to connect the new, 48-inch, water transmission main under Western Avenue at Beaverton Hillsdale Highway is complete. Operations staff have disinfected, flushed, and confirmed water quality through multiple passing water quality samples. 

What is TVWD doing?

TVWD is pausing fluoridation in its larger service area that encompasses Cooper Mountain, Aloha, Rock Creek, Bethany, Cedar Mill, Cedar Hills, and the West Hills starting December 4, 2023. Fluoride will resume early April 2024. The Metzger region of TVWD's service area does not receive fluoridated water and will not be impacted by this temporary change. 

The pause in fluoridating water service is temporary and will only occur during construction on a large transmission water main that serves a majority of TVWD's customers. 

Why is this happening?

TVWD's investment in a new water supply, the Willamette Water Supply System, includes building over 30 miles of large diameter transmission mains across the region. One of these new transmission mains will connect to TVWD's existing transmission system at the intersection of SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway and Western Avenue. 

A contractor for TVWD will be installing new, 48-inch steel transmission water main under Western Avenue to connect to the existing 54-inch transmission main on Beaverton Hillsdale Highway. 

The construction process on this large-scale infrastructure requires temporary operational changes to the water system. During this time, water is supplied to TVWD customers through alternative points of entry. As a result, TVWD must pause fluoridation until routine operations are restored following this important and time sensitive construction.    

Please note: TVWD paused fluoride last winter during a similar time for this project. During that time, a new water system control valve that is critical to completing the project was deemed defective from the manufacturer and progress was halted. This is the continuation and completion of the work during the annual low water demand season. 

If I’m not getting fluoride from my water, what should I do?

We recommend you contact your dentist or preferred healthcare professional to discuss your supplemental fluoride needs during this time.

How much fluoride do I normally get from water?

TVWD adds 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride to your water at strategic entry points into the system. This amount is determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendations for community water system fluoridation. The exact amount of fluoride you consume depends on how much water you consume via drinking and cooking throughout the day.

Will my water pressure change?

Your water pressure may be a few pounds per square inch (PSI) higher or lower than normal. During this modified system operation, you should not experience any noticeable changes to your water pressure.

Do I need to change anything in my home or how I use water?

No, there is no need to change the way you use water in your home during this modified water service period.

How is TVWD notifying customers?

TVWD is using a variety of methods to notify customers of the temporary change. This includes:

• Inserts sent with bills
• Emails to customers with an email address on file
• Postcards sent to multi-family residences
• Postcards sent to dental offices
• Social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Nextdoor

Construction Information

Installing the new piping will require large, open trench digging. This project will have significant traffic impacts, including within the intersection of Western Avenue and Beaverton Hillsdale Highway. 

Updated: April 1, 2024