BUFFALO, N.Y. — Following concern that the City of Buffalo missed its self-imposed deadline to add fluoride back to its water supply, the Buffalo Water Authority announced Friday it has received approval from the New York State Department of Health to do so by summer 2024.

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, the Water Authority said in part:

"On Thursday, Buffalo Water received notification from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), officially approving plans to reinstate fluoride in Buffalo's water. Today, Buffalo Water held a kickoff meeting to proceed with construction to restore fluoride to the City of Buffalo water supply, marking a significant step towards upgrading Buffalo’s water system.

Last August, Buffalo Water submitted development plans to reinstate fluoride to the NYDOH. For months, the groups engaged in a series of necessary discussions and meetings to determine the safest and most reliable plan to improve a new fluoride system in Buffalo.

The approved project encompasses comprehensive upgrades to the Buffalo Water fluoride feed system, incorporating improvements to pumps, pipes, injection pipes, monitoring equipment, and associated appurtenances. These enhancements aim to ensure the efficient and controlled distribution of fluoride, adhering to the highest standards of safety and effectiveness.

Buffalo Water along with its State and County partners and Veolia Water are working collaboratively to implement these enhancements seamlessly, with minimal disruption to the water supply. Following this morning's meeting, Buffalo Water anticipates residents can expect the complete return of fluoride in the summer of 2024."

“This project will include upgrades to our current water system and equipment, allowing for a safe distribution of fluoride in our drinking water," Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. "I want to thank Buffalo Water for working in collaboration with the New York State and Erie County Departments of Health and achieving the green light for construction to restore fluoride to the City of Buffalo's water supply.”

It was revealed around this time last year that the city stopped fluoridating its water in 2015. The Water Authority said this was in order to do a study on the infrastructure, partnering with the University at Buffalo. The report from that study was published in 2019, but the fluoride was not added back. Water Authority officials previously said that the pandemic played a role in delays.

This information shocked dentists last year who did not know this change happened. One pediatric dentist at Erie County Medical Center, Dr. Courtney Peterson, said the city has been dealing with an epidemic of severe dental issues in children over the last few years.

“I’ve noticed a big uptick in kids with cavities and not just simple cavities like full-mouth carries,” Peterson said in January 2023.

Buffalo Water Authority officials at the time said the fluoride would be added back in by the end of 2023. Fluoride levels are currently at 0.11 ppm, while this time last year they were at 0.13 ppm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 0.70 ppm to 1.2 ppm.