Fluoride Concentrations of Drinking Water in South Africa

Objectives: Until now no drinking water fluoridation has been implemented in South Africa. Therefore, the need for tables with drinking water fluoride concentrations for the prescription of fluoride supplementations is important. Drinking water samples were obtained from municipalities or district municipalities throughout the Republic of South Africa. Despite major efforts certain municipalities/district municipalities still failed to respond to our request and consequently their fluoride concentrations could not appear in the Tables of this article. Methods: The fluoride levels were determined potentiometrically with the aid of a combination fluoride ion selective electrode. Results: Of the 870 sources to which bottles were sent, 586 containing water samples were returned, constituting a response rate of 67.4%. For all nine provinces the lowest fluoride level found was less than 0.1 ppm and the highest value 4.6 ppm (Twee Rivieren). Conclusion: From the results it can be concluded that many drinking water sources, including major cities (less than 0.6 ppm F), are in need of fluoride addition in some or other way, of which water fluoridation is the most economical. Furthermore, de-fluoridation of water should also be considered as important unless other drinking water supply sources can be obtained.